Katherine house broken into four times in three days while owner left NT

NSW man David Roberts has been working in the NT for less than a year and says the crime is affecting ‘his relationship’ with his wife.

David Roberts was enjoying his Christmas break in NSW when a crime frenzy in the Northern Territory destroyed his holiday.

Over three days, Mr Roberts’ Katherine residence was broken into on four separate occasions while he was enjoying his break with his wife who lives interstate.

The shocking experience started on Christmas Eve when Mr Roberts decided to check his CCTV footage remotely.

“I noticed some of the cameras outside had been moved and the inside camera – which you can only access from inside the house – had been moved,” he said.

“A work colleague of mine in Katherine had a look for me and informed me the house had been broken into.”

David Roberts was enjoying his holiday when his home in Katherine was broken into four times in three days.

The offenders stole work phones, alcohol, a PlayStation and other personal belongings.

But that was just the start.

“I rang the police in Katherine just to leave a voice message that I had been broken into, when those same offenders came back on Christmas Day about 10pm,” he said.

“We rang triple-0 and the police arrived but (the offenders) had already gone.”

More than 3000 kilometres away, Mr Roberts felt “helpless” as the offenders, keen to exploit the empty home, entered it for a third time just hours after police had inspected the property.

On Boxing Day, Mr Roberts hoped his nightmare was over.

“I had a work colleague come on Boxing Day with the glazier I’d organised and had the glass replaced,” he said.

“And within two hours there was another group of offenders that appeared to be late teens to early 20s who smashed through the new glass, stole my mountain bike and the rest of the (valuable) items in the house.”

Mr Roberts’ glass was smashed within two hours of replacement and his house broken into again.

Mr Roberts was forced to abandon his holiday and return to Katherine where he is now trying to find a new home.

“I don’t feel confident enough to leave the house to see my wife now,” he said.

“I just don’t have the confidence – and it’s now affecting our relationship.”

A contract worker, Mr Roberts has lived in the Territory for less than a year and said crime in the Territory was “out of control” compared to his native NSW.

“(The crime) is rife and out of control, I don’t know what people can do to bring this back into control,” he said.

“From what I’ve seen there’s no real consequence from people breaking in.

“They’ve ruined my wife’s Christmas.”