Teenagers fled after Karama Shopping Centre robbery flops

After being threatened with a machete and a knife, a bottle shop worker turned the tables when he unleashed on a knife-wielding teenager with a broomstick. Details.

The boldness of a Karama bottle shop worker, who was threatened by a pair of armed robbers in February, has been detailed to the court. Picture: Facebook

After he was threatened with a machete and a knife, a bottle shop worker turned the tables when he unleashed on a knife-wielding teenager with a broomstick, a court has heard, forcing his adversaries to scatter before their eventual arrest.

On Thursday afternoon, the pair, who cannot legally be named, pleaded guilty at the NT Supreme Court to aggravated robbery.

In court, only one teenager was supported by his family.

Only one of the offenders had family supporting him in court. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Both boys sat side-by-side as the facts of their offending was read to the court.

About 3.40pm on February 22, 2025, one of the boys removed his tracker before the pair set out to raid the bottle shop at the Karama Shopping Centre.

Dressed in complete black, the boys drew their weapons – a machete and a knife – as they approached the bottle shop, swearing at the lone security guard as they closed in.

The teenagers then turned their attention to the bottle shop worker, threatening him with the knife and, at one point, raising the machete in his face.

In control of the hold-up, the teenagers proceeded to scoop up several bottles of bourbon from store’s shelves.

However, the situation turned when the knife-wielding offender turned his back on the worker as he headed for the exit.

Seizing the opportunity, the worker grabbed a nearby broomstick and struck the teenager in the arms, causing several bottles to shatter.

The thief then broke out into a frantic run, with the worker in hot pursuit.

The court heard the bottle shop worker was “fearful” he would be attacked.

The bust-up triggered the other teenager to also flee the scene.

Meanwhile, the security guard had begun dialing for police.

The entire incident, caught on CCTV, lasted about 30 seconds, with the estimated value of the stolen alcohol amounting to $520.

Hours later, police arrested one of the offenders, while his accomplice remained outstanding for another three days until he too was brought into custody.

The court heard the broomstick-wielding worker had been particularly rattled by the ordeal.

“(He) was fearful he would be seriously harmed with a knife or machete,” the prosecutor said.

Both teenagers will return to the NT Supreme Court on August 28.