Top End crime: Stolen car crashed in Palmerston, man stabbed in Nightcliff in separate incidents

A 37-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly stabbing his cousin in the neck with broken glass in the northern suburbs.

A brawl in the carpark of the. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Welcome to the NT News’ weekly Top End rolling police, crime, traffic, fire and breaking news blog. Keep up with the latest in the Top End – from Katherine to Darwin, West Daly, Arnhem Land and the Tiwi Islands.

March 1, 4.15pm: A 20-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly crashing a stolen vehicle in Palmerston in the early hours of Saturday morning.

About 2.10am on Saturday, police saw a stolen Kia Sorento SUV along the Stuart Highway.

The SUV failed to stop at a traffic apprehension, triggering a pursuit.

The stolen SUV hit a light pole at the intersection of Roystonea Ave and Temple Tce before the driver got out of the vehicle and fled.

Strike Force Trident members later found and arrested the man.

St John Ambulance took him to Palmerston Regional Hospital under police supervision, where blood tests were conducted.

The alleged offender has been issued a Notice to Appear and will face court at a later date.

No charges have been laid as at 4pm Saturday.

Man stabbed in the neck in Nightcliff

March 1, 4pm: A 37-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly stabbing his cousin in the neck with broken glass in Nightcliff overnight.

About 7.30pm on Friday, NT Police received reports of a 49-year-old having sustained a stab wound to his neck.

Police allege the man was stabbed by his cousin during an altercation on Progress Drive.

The injured man was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital for treatment in a stable condition.

The alleged offender was later found and arrested.

He remains in custody and is assisting police with inquiries.

As at 4pm on Saturday, no charges were said to have been laid.

Police urged those with information to contact 131 444 and quote reference PS5057716.

Workers reportedly assaulted in northern suburbs carpark brawl

February 27, 10.30pm: A pair of shop staff are alleged to have been assaulted at a popular Nightcliff shopping centre after a brawl broke out in the carpark, with the group understood to still be at large.

The NT News understands the brawl, which happened about 10.30pm on Thursday evening in the car park of the Nightcliff Shopping Centre, involved about five males, who assaulted the two workers.

According to a witness at the scene, the group are then said to have chased down the pair and assaulted them until they were called out by a good Samaritan bystander and fled the scene.

NT Police are said to have responded, sending three patrol cars to the scene.

Comment has been sought from NT Police.

More to come.

Woman hospitalised with neck injuries following late night assault

February 27, 4pm: A woman has been hospitalised with neck injuries after she was allegedly assaulted by her partner following a taxi ride in Katherine.

At about 3.30am, police received a report that a woman had been found at an address on Maluka Road, Katherine, with serious injuries.

Police alleged she was assaulted by her partner while they were exiting a taxi.

St John paramedics conveyed the woman to Katherine Hospital, where she received further treatment for serious injuries to her neck.

The alleged offender was not at the scene when police arrived.

Detectives from the Northern Investigation Section are investigating and urge anyone who was in the area of Muluka Road and Acacia Drive between midnight and 3am to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference NTP25000211142.

Teen girl’s eyes injured after men break into home with machete

February 27, 11.10am: A 13-year-old girl has been taken to hospital with eye injuries after three males allegedly broke into a Larrakeyah residence armed with a blade and attacked its female occupants.

It is alleged about 5pm Wednesday, three males unlawfully entered a unit on Mitchell St Darwin, with one member armed with a machete.

Police say two females were assaulted before the trio fled the scene.

After arriving on-site police took statements from the two victims, who are believed to be known to the alleged offenders.

A 13-year-old girl, who had sustained eye injuries, to Royal Darwin Hospital for treatment.

It remains unclear how the injury occurred.

Later in the evening, police arrested an 18-year-old man at a Malak residence who was expected to be charged.

Investigations continue.

Those with information can contact authorities on 131 444 and reference PS5055389.

Two men arrested for assaulting police in Gapuwiyak

February 26, 11:51am:Two men have been arrested for allegedly assaulting police officers at the Gapuwiyak clinic, where a tense situation saw a crowd of up to 30 people turn aggressive.

Police responded to reports of unrest at the remote Arnhem Land community about 1:15pm on Tuesday.

At the clinic, a 26-year-old man allegedly armed himself with scissors and threatened officers before being disarmed with the help of community members.

An NT Police spokesperson said that during the man’s arrest, a 63-year-old man allegedly punched and elbowed the officer.

As additional police were called to take the pair to the local station, a large group gathered at the clinic and became aggressive.

Police said the crowd eventually calmed down and left the area without any further trouble.

Both men have been charged with two counts of assaulting a police officer and have been bailed to appear in Gapuwiyak Local Court on June 18.

Senior Sergeant Daniel Bell condemned the attack.

“Assaulting police officers is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” he said.

“Our officers are dedicated to protecting and serving the community, and we take any act of violence against them very seriously.”

Police are continuing to monitor the situation in Gapuwiyak and encourage community members to maintain calm and respect law enforcement efforts.

How NT services rescued five stranded hikers

February 25, 11am: NT Police search and rescue found a group of five hikers stranded and suffering from with heatstroke almost 100km south of Jabiru.

The hikers activated their emergency position-indicating radio-beacon (EPIRB) about 7.45am on Sunday while in the vicinity of Motor Car Falls, 97km south of Jabiru, police said.

Jabiru members went to the area while search and rescue sent a helicopter to scour the area with two members on board.

The Jabiru officers spotted a vehicle parked at Motor Car Falls registered to the same person who had activated the EPIRB.

A short time later, members found three men and two women nearby to where the EPIRB was activated.

The Northern Territory Police Force Search and Rescue Section successfully located and rescued a hiking group in Jabiru on Sunday morning. Picture: NTPFES

One of men, who was suffering from heatstroke, was taken back to Jabiru on the helicopter, with another person, where they were met by St John Ambulance.

Two SRS members remained on-site with the three hikers until they were also collected by the helicopter and taken to Jabiru.

Acting Senior Sergeant Zac Winkworth said due to the group activating their EPIRB when they did was instrumental in the timely rescue.

“This is a timely reminder for people looking to go hiking or fishing in the Top End to ensure you have a registered EPIRB,” he said.

“Always plan your route, check current conditions, and make sure someone is aware of your itinerary before you head out.”

Teen arrested after armed bottle shop robbery in Karama

February 24, 10:39am: A teenager has been arrested after an armed robbery at a Karama bottle shop, with police still searching for a second suspect.

Northern Territory Police say two male teenagers entered a licensed premises on Kalymnos Drive on Saturday afternoon, with one allegedly threatening staff with a weapon before stealing alcohol and fleeing on foot.

Officers from Casuarina quickly identified and arrested a 14-year-old boy, who has since been charged with aggravated robbery.

Police say the second suspect remains on the run.

Strike Force Trident is continuing investigations and urging anyone with information to contact police on 131 444, quoting reference P25051813.

Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Katherine man arrested in drug and firearm bust

February 24, 8:18am: A young man has been charged after police allegedly found more than a kilo of cannabis and firearms in a Top End home.

The 18-year-old man was arrested by NT Police after a raid on a Katherine East home led to the alleged discovery of 1.7 kgs of cannabis, drug-related items, fireworks, ammunition, and two firearms.

Officers from the Northern Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk carried out the search on Friday, arresting the man without any issues, according to cops.

He now faces multiple charges, including drug supply, firearm offences, and possessing illegal fireworks.

The man was remanded in custody and is expected to appear in Katherine Local Court on Monday.

Detective Senior Sergeant Byron May acknowledged the role of the community in assisting police efforts to crack down on drug and firearm-related crime.

“The contribution by the community to disrupt this offending is essential to a safer territory,” he said.

Police are urging anyone with information on illegal drug or alcohol supply to contact them on 131 444 or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or online at https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.