NT Police arrest five-year-old boy’s alleged abductors

NT Police said two young children played a key role in stopping an alleged abduction. Here’s how the incident unfolded.

A 37-year-old man and 56-year-old woman were arrested after they allegedly abducted a five-year-old boy in Nakara. Picture: Glenn Campbell

A man and a woman who police say were caught by two kids after allegedly abducting a child have been charged.

The 37-year-old man and 56-year-old woman were charged on Sunday by detectives from Child Abuse Task Force.

They will face Darwin Local Court on Monday with abducting a child under 16 and recklessly endangering serious harm.

Police said two quick-thinking children helped to track the alleged abductors’ vehicle.

The young pair was able to record crucial information police said allowed them to track the movements of a car a five-year-old boy was allegedly forced into in a harrowing incident at Nakara about 3pm Friday.

Police alleged the boy’s stepfather and another woman, known to the child, snatched him from Witherden St.

Police said the boy’s mother tried to intervene but fell from the moving vehicle to the road.

She was later taken to Royal Darwin Hospital in a stable condition.

“Thankfully the mother is expected to make a full recovery and the child was found safe,” Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Russell said.

“Police would like to commend the incredible actions of a young boy and girl who witnessed the incident and contacted police.

“Not only did they contact police as the abduction was unfolding, they also passed on the vehicles details and registration.

“This information was vital in allowing our officers to begin tracking the vehicle quickly, resulting in a positive outcome.”

Detectives from the Sex Crimes Division, Strike Force Trident, Adelaide River, Batchelor and general duties were deployed to track the vehicle.

They said the vehicle was stopped at 5.30pm on Cox Peninsula Rd, and a 37-year-old man and 56-year-old woman were arrested.