Alice Springs Police say 32 arrests made as part Operation Ludlow as it enters its third week
Police are hailing the effectiveness of the latest policing operation in Alice Springs, releasing figures which show more 30 arrests have been made already.
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Welcome to the NT News’ weekly Alice Springs and Central rolling police, crime, traffic, fire and breaking news blog. Keep up with the latest across news from Alice Springs right up to the Barkly.
November 29, 5pm: The top cop in charge of the latest Alice Springs policing operation says early results show the “effectiveness” of policing high-visibility patrols, with 32 arrests made so far.
Police have released the first statistics for Operation Ludlow, launched on November 14 by southern watch commander James Gray-Spence.
The operation is conducted in tandem with Strike Force Viper, and an additional 14 constables and two sergeants were sent to Alice as part of the operation.
Police wanding operations found two weapons, with three cautions issued, from a total of 46 scans conducted.
Additional resources, such as mounted police and ATV’s have also been brought in as part of the operation.
“This strategic approach deters criminal activity and provides reassurance to the community,” police said.
“Nightly joint patrols bring together police, youth outreach teams, public housing safety officers, night patrols, Traditional Owner patrol workers, and contracted security providers. These coordinated efforts enable rapid responses and comprehensive coverage of high-risk areas.”
As of Friday, police said there have been:
- 32 arrests
- 2 notices to appear
- 8 warrant executions
- 31 protective custody episodes
- 3 breaches of banned drinker orders (BDOs) and 9 new BDO initiations
- 3 banning notices issued
- 76 licenced premises inspections
- 24 infringement notices issued
Mr Gray-Spence said police are acting “decisively” to “reduce crime and build confidence in Alice Springs”.
“The early results demonstrate the effectiveness of our high-visibility patrols and strong partnerships with local agencies,” he said.
“The community plays a vital role in Operation Ludlow’s success and are encouraged to report suspicious behaviour and concerns to NT Police on 131444 or to call Triple Zero in an emergency.”
NT taxi driver robbed twice in group’s night of mayhem
November 29, 7.30am: Multiple taxis were rammed with a stolen vehicle in Alice Springs overnight, with one driver targeted twice and allegedly threatened with an iron bar, police say.
NT Police allege there were four attacks on three taxis by the same offenders, within a half an hour period.
At about 10pm on Thursday, it was a Larapinta residence was entered and burgled, police allege.
There were no occupants at home at the time, but a Ford Ranger Ute was stolen.
About 2.30am, police allege they received reports the stolen Ford had chased a taxi, and rear ended the vehicle which caused significant damage.
The driver was uninjured.
Ten minutes later, the Ford pulled up near a different taxi which was parked outside the hospital.
An NT Police spokesperson said boy exited the Ford and allegedly threatened the driver with an iron bar, demanding money.
The driver handed over a small amount of cash, and the boy returned to the vehicle and fled.
Approximately 10 minutes later, police received another report a third taxi had been targeted by the stolen Ford.
It is alleged the Ford chased and hit the taxi during a pursuit through the car park of the Lasseters Casino.
The Ford fled the scene, and the taxi driver was uninjured.
About 15 minutes later on Albrecht Drive, the Ford T-boned the same taxi they had targeted earlier at the hospital.
The taxi driver attempted to flee in his vehicle but was forced to pull over due to the vehicle’s damage.
Police allege a group of youths approached the taxi driver with an iron bar, who was again threatened and forced to hand over more cash.
The alleged offenders fled the area and abandoned the stolen Ford a short distance away.
The vehicle has since been recovered, police say.
As of Friday morning, the alleged offenders remain outstanding and the Major Crime Unit are investigating.
Police are appealing for anyone with dashcam footage of South Terrace and Larapinta Drive from about 2.30am on November 28.
Contact police and reference NTP24000120951.
Arrest made over alleged aggravated robbery at brewery
November 28, 5pm: An 18-year-old man has been arrested – allegedly assaulting two officers who in the process – in connection to an alleged aggravated robbery in Alice Springs, Northern Territory police say.
Police said the man was arrested on Thursday in relation to an alleged aggravated robbery at Palm Ct in Ross on October 27.
Police say during the robbery staff at a licensed premises were threatened by five intruders who “allegedly armed themselves with edged weapons located inside the premises”.
The armed intruders allegedly threatened staff, and stole money from the till at the business, police allege.
During Thursday’s arrest, police allege the man “assaulted two police officers and resisted police in the execution of their duty”.
The man was taken to the Alice Springs watch house, where police said he is expected to be charged with aggravated robbery, resisting police, and two charges of assaulting a police officer.
Police said investigations to identify the remaining offenders is “ongoing”.
Police are urging anyone with information to get in touch on 131 444, quoting reference NTP2400108417.
Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.
Popular bar trashed during alleged break-in in Alice Springs
November 27, 3pm: An alleged break in has left a bar trashed in Alice Springs, but it hasn’t stopped the cafe from serving coffee.
Northern Territory police said Epilogue Lounge on Todd Mall was broken into around 1.30am Wednesday.
Police provided scant details on what happened, and police on the scene when this masthead visited in the morning did not provide comment.
This masthead understands the break-in occurred through the side door, which was smashed to gain entry.
In the morning, the cafe arm of the business was serving coffee, while the bar area was cordoned off.
Smashed glass was on the floor, alongside spilt alcohol, while a tradesman repaired the door.
Northern Territory police are urging anyone with more information to get in touch on 131 444, quoting reference NTP2400120097.
Teen boy arrested after ‘traumatic’ alleged indecent assault of girl
November 27, 12pm: A teenage boy is expected to be charged after allegedly indecently assaulting a young girl in Alice Springs – with cops claiming to have found a weapon on the boy.
NT Police said officers patrolling along Gap Rd at 8.15am on Wednesday saw the 17-year-old boy allegedly indecently assaulting a girl – who they say is aged between 13 and 16-years-old.
The boy was arrested immediately, and without incident.
Police further allege the boy was found with an edged weapon.
He was taken to Alice Springs watch house, where he is expected to be charged today.
Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Janice Kershaw said the alleged incident was “confronting” and “would have been incredibly traumatic” for the girl.
Those who witness crime or anti-social behaviour are urged to contact police on 131 444.
Reports can be made anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Fight between family ends with arrests, man injured
November 26, 3pm: A man has been arrested in Alice Springs for allegedly assaulting his brother with an “edged weapon”, NT police say.
Police said a pair of brothers were arrested over a fight in Todd Mall at 7.15am Tuesday morning, which required one to go to hospital for treatment.
During the fight, police allege one man assaulted the other with an “edged weapon”.
Both men were arrested a short time after on Bath St, police said.
A 31-year-old man taken to Alice Springs hospital with head injuries.
He was arrested alongside his 33-year-old brother, who was sent to the Alice Springs watch house where he expected to be charged.
Police are yet to lay charges, and are calling on anyone who witnessed the fight to get in touch on 131 444.
Support services for those affected by domestic or family violence are available, including 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) and Lifeline (13 11 14).
Red Centre residents put on flood watch
November 26, 1.50pm: A flood watch has been issued ahead of a trough crossing the southern Barkly districts which is set to move into central districts on Wednesday.
On Tuesday morning, the Bureau of Meteorology in a statement said the trough will lead to possible heavy rainfall and thunderstorms as it moves into central districts during the latter half of this week.
Rainfall of between 15-40mm are predicted from Wednesday to Friday, with very isolated falls of more than 100mm across the flood watch area, the Bureau predicts.
Possible flooding could affect many roads across the Barkly, including the primary and secondary highways.
A Bureau spokesperson said there was a risk some communities and homesteads may become isolated.
As part of the flood watch notice, locals have been advised to:
- Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways
- Prepare for flooding and move away while safe to do so
- Don’t drive into floodwaters
For emergency help in floods, storms and cyclones call 132 500. Emergency information is available at www.securent.nt.gov.au
The latest road conditions are available at www.roadreport.nt.gov.au
NT Police arrest 37-year-old woman over theft of 85-year-old woman’s handbag in Alice Springs
November 25, 4pm: Northern Territory Police have arrested a woman accused of being involved in the robbery of an 85-year-old woman in an Alice Springs carpark, but are still searching for three people who were also allegedly involved.
Police said the robbery occurred on Friday on the second level of the Yeperenye Shopping Centre carpark, corner of Bath St and Gregory Tce.
A group of four people allegedly approached the elderly woman, who was returning to her car, when she was allegedly bumped by one of the group members, police said.
The bump caused the woman to lose her balance, police said, during which the offenders stole her handbag.
She did not require medical treatment.
Of the group of four – which comprised of two men and two women – police arrested a 37-year-old woman a short time after, while the other three were yet to be found, police said.
“She was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery, theft, and breach of bail. She has been remanded into custody to appear at a later date,” police said.
Investigations are continuing, police said, and anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444, quoting reference number NTP2400118544.
Anonymous reports can also be made to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.
Four break-ins, taxi targeted in Alice Springs overnight
November 25, 6.30am: Four properties were broken into in Alice Springs overnight, while a stolen vehicle allegedly used to target a taxi remains outstanding.
Police received reports of minors jumping fences in the suburbs of Araluen and Larapinta, with four break-ins responded to across the two areas.
Further, a stolen vehicle was used by occupants to target a taxi.
The stolen vehicle allegedly drove at the taxi, coming to a stop as it was making contact.
Minimum damage was inflicted and no injuries reported.
The stolen vehicle was spiked by police before fleeing north out of town.
No arrests have been made.
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