Daly Waters Hi-Way Inn staffer says alleged gunpoint abduction did not disturb sleeping staff

The man alleged to have held up a remote motel south of Katherine before making a gunpoint abduction has been charged. See the footage of his arrest.

Updated, 4.30pm: The man alleged to have held up a remote motel and roadhouse south of Katherine before conducting a gunpoint abduction has been charged.

NT Police revealed a 26-year-old man was in custody after entering an accommodation block at what this masthead has learnt is the Daly Waters Hi-Way Inn, and allegedly threatening patrons with firearms about 9pm Wednesday.

Police allege he accosted a man to drive him the nearly 300km to Katherine, where he was arrested just after midnight after fleeing with two firearms.

CCTV footage has been released of the arrest where the man is shown lifting a rifle high before dropping it on the road of Railway Terrace.

A 36-year-old man has been arrested after he abducted a man under threat of firearms to drive him from Daly Waters to Katherine. Picture: NTPFES

He is then seen casting aside another item before lying on the ground to surrender to an oncoming officer, with four completing the arrest.

Police further allege the 26-year-old suspect fired a weapon at least once during the abduction.

He has since been charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a weapon, kidnapping, recklessly endangering life and depriving a person of liberty.

A 36-year-old man has been arrested after he abducted a man under threat of firearms to drive him from Daly Waters to Katherine. Picture: NTPFES

He has also been charged with alter firearm, being armed with an offensive weapon and discharging the firearm.

He has been remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court on November 25.

An employee at the roadhouse south of Katherine said staff were unaware of the alleged gunpoint abduction at their venue until the following morning, when a flurry of messages were exchanged.

The employee said she “didn’t know it was even happening” despite being present at the business.

Daly Waters Hi-Way Inn. Picture: Daly Water Hi-Way Inn

“I didn’t find out until [Thursday] morning. I woke up to messages asking if I was okay,” she said.

The employee said the allegedly abducted man was a customer who had previously stayed “once or twice before”.

She said she believed the accused was in company with another man, who she told Police raised the alarm by banging on the doors of fellow occupants..

A truck driver asleep at the motel thought he heard a gunshot about 9pm, the employee added.

Man kidnapped at gunpoint from outback pub

Earlier, 10am: NT Police have arrested a man who held up a small town with firearms before forcing a patron to drive him to Darwin.

The man entered an accommodation block at the Daly Waters Hi-Way Inn and allegedly begun threatening patrons while armed with firearms about 9pm Wednesday.

Police allege he accosted a man to drive him to Katherine.

The offender allegedly fired one of the weapons while inside the vehicle though no injuries were reported.

Police found the 36-year-old in Katherine just after midnight after he had fled the vehicle in possession of two firearms.

He was arrested without incident and remains in custody with charges expected to be laid this evening.

Regional Crime detective have called for any witnesses of the Daly Waters incident or who may have witnessed the man in Katherine to call 131 444 and quote reference number NTP2500117742.