18-year-old man to face Alice Springs Local Court charged with slew of motor vehicle offences

An 18-year-old man, who was caught and held by a bystander until police arrived after he allegedly crashed a stolen vehicle, will appear before court on Tuesday.

AN 18-year-old man, who was caught and held by a bystander until police arrived after he allegedly crashed a stolen vehicle, will appear before court on Tuesday.

Police CCTV operators watched as a white Toyota LandCruiser — which had been stolen from a business on Ghan Road — was driven recklessly in the Alice Springs CBD around 1.15am.

Just after 2am the operators witnessed the vehicle exiting the carpark on Gregory Terrace and driving on the wrong side of the road.

The alleged driver then failed to negotiate the Bath Street/Gregory Terrace roundabout and lost control of the vehicle which then rolled and slid on its side before coming to a stop on the road.

Two occupants from the vehicle climbed out and fled the scene before the alleged driver was apprehended by a bystander until police arrived on scene.

It is alleged the man spat on one officer and bit another officer on the arm during the arrest.

He will appear in Alice Springs Court charged with driving while unlicensed, driving at speed in a dangerous manner, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and using a vehicle to cause damage.

Other charges include aggravated entering of a building and two counts of assaulting a member of the police force.

Members of Strike Force Viper are investigating the unlawful entry of the business in which the vehicle was stolen from, and continue with inquiries to identify the two other occupants of the vehicle.

Anyone with information which may assist with investigations is urged to contact police on 131 444 or report it anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 3000.