Darwin crime: NT Police arrest four men who allegedly stole large amounts of alcohol from a popular shopping centre

NT Police made four arrests and recovered a trolley full of alcohol after a theft in a popular shopping centre. Latest Darwin crime news.

The latest breaking news from across the Top End. Picture: Katie Hall

March 8: NT Police have arrested four alleged offenders who robbed a large amount of alcohol from a store in a popular shopping centre.

It is alleged four men, aged 15, 15, 17 and 23, entered a business in the Casuarina Shopping Centre and stole a large quantity of alcohol about 12.50pm Thursday.

Police allege the group verbally threatened staff before fleeing the scene on foot and with a trolley.

Strike Force Trident arrived on the scene with the Dog Operation Unit and eventually caught and arrested the three offenders after a series of short foot pursuits.

NT Police recover large quantity of alcohol from kids in Casuarina. Picture: NTPFES

Patrol Dog Boss tracked the fourth and final offender to a nearby home where he was found hiding in the bushes.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dale Motter-Barnard said the alcohol had been recovered due to the efforts of Strike Force Trident and the Dog Operations Unit.

All stolen alcohol was recovered and all four offenders were charged with aggravated robbery and theft.

“A substantial amount of alcohol was stolen and thanks to quick work from Trident and Dog Ops I’m sure further offending was prevented,” he said.

“We continue to urge everyone to immediately report crime and antisocial behaviour to police on 131 444 or in an emergency to call triple zero.”

Soft drink robber targets servo with knife attached to hammer

March 7: Two Bagot Rd service stations, one in Coconut Grove the other in Ludmilla, were robbed Wednesday night within five minutes of each other, by what police believe was the same armed offender.

Police allege that at about 10.15pm, the offender entered the United Service Station in Coconut Grove, with what appeared to be a knife attached to a hammer.

The man threatened the attendant and stole two bottles of soft drink, police say.

He was then seen fleeing on a push bike.

No more than five minutes later, police say the same man entered the Ludmilla service station where he held up the attendant before stealing $300 in cash from the till and fleeing the scene.

NT Police say the offender remains at large and is believed to be of Indigenous appearance, around 6ft tall.

He was wearing camouflage shorts, a black beanie and red sneakers at the time of the robberies.

Detectives are investigating and anyone who may have seen something or has any information is urged to contact 131 444 or Crime Stoppers in 1800 333 000.

Youths nabbed after mobility scooters stolen, businesses burgled

March 6: NT Police have nabbed multiple youths who they say were involved in a separate series of crimes including multiple alleged car thefts and break-ins.

In the first set of incidents, police say four youths allegedly unlawfully entered multiple commercial premises in Berrimah on Monday night.

The group allegedly stole several mobility scooters at one business, which they used to travel to East Arm where further unlawful entries took place.

Police allege a Toyota HiLux was stolen and subsequently abandoned in Johnston, where another theft took place, which led to the theft of a Toyota RAV4.

Strike Force Trident spotted the stolen vehicle in the Marrara area about 6.40am Tuesday, resulting in the arrest of three youths aged 14 and 15.

Police charged the youths with various property-related offences, with the trio scheduled to appear in court.

A second series of alleged criminal activities, involving five youths, unfolded in Coconut Grove on Tuesday morning.

Police allege the group unlawfully entered a commercial premises and a late a home, where they stole a Mazda CX5.

The stolen vehicle was driven to Fannie Bay where the group allegedly attempted to enter another commercial premises without success.

It is alleged they then went to Coolalinga where they unlawfully entered a bottle shop and made off with a quantity of alcohol.

The stolen vehicle had a flat tyre in Yarrawonga, on the return trip to Coolalinga, and the occupants stopped to change the tyre.

A passer-by attempted to assist the group, but was allegedly assaulted by one of the youths and had their own vehicle stolen.

Their stolen vehicle was found abandoned in Gray.

Members of Strike Force Trident and the Dog Operations Unit arrested three female youths, aged 13 and 14, who were allegedly involved in these incidents in the afternoon.

The group have been released from custody and will be addressed under the Youth Justice Act 2005, while additional offenders have been identified as investigations continue.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Dale Motter-Barnard said police were well aware of resident’s concerns following the recent spate of criminal activities.

“Police want to assure the public that we’re diligently working within the legislative framework to bring those causing distress to justice,” he said.

“We encourage residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, as this co-operation is crucial to maintaining the safety and security of our neighbourhoods.”

Police urge anyone with information about these incidents to contact police at 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Threatened with a knife: Teens charged after alleged daylight robbery

March 6: Two teens have been charged with aggravated robbery after an alleged Darwin crime spree on Monday.

An NT Police spokesman said police began receiving “multiple reports” of a group of youths armed and committing offences in the CBD at 12.14pm.

This followed reports of a group of youths harassing members of the public at Casuarina Square.

There, an 81-year-old woman was allegedly threatened with a knife before having her hand bag stolen at about 10.30am.

Police were called to the scene where her handbag was recovered.

A 7-year-old child was taken into the care of a responsible adult, according to NT Police.

The businesses allegedly targeted in the CBD included a pair of service stations on Smith St, and a hotel/bottle shop.

The group was tracked on CCTV by officers within the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre at Berrimah, and a number of uniformed units responded to apprehend the youths, who were intercepted on a bus.

It is understood that at least on of the youths charged was present at both scenes.

As a result, a 13-year-old was charged with aggravated robbery and theft, while a 14-year-old was charged with two counts of aggravated robbery and possess/carry/use a controlled weapon in a public place.

The remaining youths were determined to have not participated in the alleged offending.

Commander Daniel Bacon said the crime spree on Monday was “completely unacceptable”.

“It has absolutely no place within our communities,” he said.

“Thankfully no one was seriously injured and I commend the work of CCTV operators, Joint Emergency Service Communication Centre dispatchers and attending members.

“All youths have been referred to Territory Families and it is hoped that the team can work with the youths and their families so we do not see this repeated behaviour.

“Anyone with information, particularly if you were a victim in any of these incidents, is urged to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference 24061084.”

March 4: Alleged child sexual pest arrested in police sting at Cas Square

Northern Territory Police have charged a 28-year-old man with child exploitation offences after a sting at Casuarina Square.

The Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team set up the operation on Friday at the shopping centre in Darwin’s north, where the man allegedly believed he was meeting up with a child for sexual activity.

He was arrested at the scene and has since been charged with using a carriage service to procure a person under 16, and transmitting indecent communication to a person under 16.

He was remanded in custody and expected to face the Darwin Local Court on Monday.

“This arrest serves as a timely reminder to all parents to consider their children’s online safety by reviewing their children’s online activity and the social media platforms that they use,” Detective Sergeant Mark Cronin said.

March 4: Man robbed and assaulted twice in two days at own home

Multiple youths allegedly broke into the same Coconut Grove home twice over the weekend where they assaulted a 65-year-old man before stealing a number of items and fleeing the scene.

The gang of youths are alleged to have entered the Hart Court property at 10.20pm on Friday, where they proceeded to throw objects at the man before fleeing with a number of items.

Police were called to the scene but the youths had fled in a stolen grey Mazda 3.

It is alleged that the same group has then returned to the same residence, assaulting the 65-year-old man a second time, at 12pm the next day, again stealing items and fleeing the scene.

The stolen Mazda 3 has since been found abandoned.

Detectives from Serious Crime are investigating the incidents and are urging anyone with information on the offenders or the vehicle to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference 24059278.

March 4: Male driver, 27, dies in single vehicle crash at Knuckey Lagoon

A young man has been confirmed dead in a single-vehicle crash east of Darwin.

An NT Police spokesman said that at 3.48pm Sunday, emergency services received reports of a serious motor vehicle crash on Deloraine Rd at Knuckey Lagoon.

Upon arrival, they discovered the 27-year-old man deceased after his vehicle struck a power pole.

No other information was available as to the circumstances of the fatal crash or the driver.