Tiger Brennan Dr two car crash with alcohol involved and a Coolalinga unit fire burns man

Emergency crews rushed to a unit in rural Darwin and assisted a man who sustained injuries.

UPDATE, 7am Wed Apr 20: TWO cars crashed and both landed in the centre of the Tiger Brennan Dr island with one of the drivers returning a positive breath test.

Northern Watch Commander David Allan said the both drivers sustained only minor injuries and were treated at the scene by St John NT paramedics about 7.30pm.

“A 27-year-old female driving the second vehicle was uninjured but provided a positive roadside breath test and is expected to be summoned to appear in court for traffic offences at a later date,” Cmmr Allan said.

Only ten minutes later down the road, emergency services were cooled to a unit fire in Coolalinga.

“Northern Territory Fire and Rescue extinguished the blaze that appears to have been contained to one bedroom,” he said.

“An occupant of the unit was treated by St John NT paramedics for minor burns at the scene.

“A crime scene has been established and remains active with investigations into the cause of the fire now underway.”

St John NT Craig Garraway said a man was treated by the ambos at the scene for some minor burns as a result of the fire.

“Thankfully didn’t require any hospital treatment,” Mr Garraway told ABC Darwin.

Alice Springs had a quieter night than usual with only one report of a stolen vehicle overnight.

Southern Watch Commander Vicki Koum said a white Toyota HiLux with a registration number CE19YG was stolen from a residence in Alice Springs.

“So if anyone sees that out and about, call (the) Police,” Cmmr Koum said.

The vehicle remains outstanding.

Hiker gets rescued

A 60-YEAR-OLD hiker was rescued by helicopter after becoming ill while on the Larapinta Trail.

In a statement, NT Police said the hiker activated his emergency beacon on Saturday at 4.40pm, alerting the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Canberra.

Northern Territory Police were then deployed to the location on the Larapinta Trail, west of Standley Chasm.

Emergency services reached the man shortly after 9.30pm.

Police and paramedics stayed with the man overnight while a helicopter was chartered for a rescue at first light.

He was flown to Standley Chasm, where a waiting ambulance took him to Alice Springs Hospital.

Senior Sergeant Michael Potts said the hiker’s preparedness was crucial.

“The hiker had a personal locator beacon which he activated when he realised he was in trouble – this probably saved his life,” he said.

“A number of hikers have suffered from heat stress recently and it is incredibly important that anyone heading out bush takes proper precautions, stays hydrated and is prepared for the unexpected.”

Young cop suspended

11AM THURS: A YOUNG police officer has been suspended and is set to face court over drug charges.

NT Police confirmed a 23-year-old male Northern Territory Police Officer was suspended from duty with pay after being served a Notice to Appear at the Tennant Creek Local Court.

The man faces allegations relating to drug offences. Police did not provide further details to the nature of the charges.

A police spokeswoman said the matter was under investigation by Crime Command and the Professional Standards Command.

“This information is provided in accordance with the NT Police Transparency Guidelines,” she said.

“NT ICAC and the NT Ombudsman will be advised of the matter.”

The 23-year-old is expected to appear on May 24 at the Tennant Creek Local Court.

Tuckshop heist

CAKES and sandwiches were stolen in an overnight pool tuckshop heist in Alice Springs, one of six break-ins across Central Australia investigated by police.

Southern Watch Commander Allan Milner said police were investigating five break ins in Alice Springs and a destructive theft which broke through a wall of a Tennant Creek home.

Mr Milner said there was a break-in at the Alice Springs Aquatic Centre, Speed St, The Gap, sometime between Friday and Saturday.

“We don’t know the point of entry, but stolen was a quantity of cakes and sandwiches,” Mr Milner said.

“So it’s got to be kids.”

Thieves involved in a park ranger office heist, at the Telegraph Station, were forced to run off with their loot after their car became bogged.

Mr Milner said at 9.47pm, Saturday the ranger’s station was broken into, with the offenders stealing a large assortment of tools, including a knife and bolt cutters, and a small safe with a range of vehicle keys.

“They’ve made a huge mess when they were trying to grab stuff,” he said.

“(But) a vehicle was located nearby which had inside them some of those tools.

“They were going to take off but they got bogged, but they were able to carry the safe out.’

Mr Milner said a Tennant Creek resident returned to their home to find their wall missing.

He said a thief broke into their Whippet St home to find a hole in their fibro walls leading to their bedroom completely knocked in.

Mr Milner said coins, a hearing aid and set of headphones was taken.

“An amount of damage for that, for that property,” he said.

There were also break ins at homes at McKinlay St, Braitling, Clara Ct in The Gap, and Goyder St, East Side.

Mr Milner said a wallet and a Nintendo were stolen from the Braitling home, forensic teams were still establishing what was stolen from the home in The Gap, while an iPhone, laptop, car keys and a dark grey Toyota Prado were grabbed from East Side.

He said a group of young people used the stolen car to hoon through Alice Springs, with police determining it was too dangerous to pursue the group.

“We don’t try to pursue, we just maintain a watch and set up our spikes … It’s very dangerous (otherwise),” he said.

“We were able to push them into a certain area where they basically decamped the vehicle, left the vehicle and did a runner,” he said.

Massive fight breaks out in Palmerston streets

THE NT Police’s Tactical Response Group was called to a large brawl in Palmerston on Friday night.

Locals were scared to leave their homes after dozens of people began fighting in the street.

The melee, which took place near Elrundie and Driver avenues, allegedly involved weapons including axes.

On Saturday morning, glass was strewn across the street, with empty alcohol bottles scattered around.

Locals told the NT News they believed many involved in the fight were not from the area and there were young children involved in the scuffle.

Residents of the Palmerston suburb said they were often “scared” to leave their homes.

NT Police have been contacted for comment.

NT Police establish crime scene at Malak apartment fire

A WOMAN has been arrested after an empty Malak apartment was engulfed in flames.

NT Police said the 30-year-old woman was arrested on Friday in relation to the structure fire on Rickards Ct the previous night.

Police and fire crews were called to the apartment at 10pm, Thursday, after blaring smoke alarms alerted neighbours to the blaze.

Crews arrived to find the apartment’s interior fully engulfed, with the blaze quickly extinguished.

The property was empty at the time and nobody was injured.

Detective Senior Sergeant Brett Cottier said a crime scene was established around the home and the next morning the 30-year-old was arrested in relation to the blaze.

Police have not confirmed her charges.

Snr Sgt Cottier called on any witnesses to come forward to assist the investigation.

He asked those with information to contact Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, quoting the reference number 9966807.

Top End servo worker punched by two females shoplifting in Darwin CBD

TWO shoplifters allegedly attacked a Darwin CBD service station worker who confronted the two females as they tried to leave the store with stolen goods around 5pm on Thursday.

Northern Watch Commander Neil Mellon said the man was struck during the confrontation with the two shoplifter at the Darwin CBD Puma service station.

“The Puma attendant was conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital by St John NT for assessment and treatment but was not seriously injured,” Cmmr Mellon said.

“The women have not been positively identified yet – we don’t know exactly who they are – we have investigators sourcing CCTV.

“If anyone saw, or heard or knew of anything occurring around that time in the service station to call the police.”

In the following hours, NT Police received a call from residents about 9.48pm Thursday, at a unit complex in Malak, where an upstairs unit bedroom was on fire.

Police, Fire and Emergency, and St John NT all attended the scene – the fire was contained and no one was injured.

“There’s no damage to other units at this stage and it’s unknown at this point of the investigation if the fire was suspicious, or not,” Cmmr Mellon said.

Meanwhile, Hibiscus Shopping Centre in Leanyer will and reopen on Friday morning after emergency services responded to a fire around 7pm on Thursday.

The fire was extinguished and investigators are determining the circumstances.

Young girl found

A YOUNG girl has been found safe after going missing from an Alice Springs home on Wednesday evening.

Her family has been notified.

Dorothy Cook, 12, was reported missing on Thursday morning after she failed to return home.

NT Police thanked the public for their assistance.

EARLIER: NT Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate a missing a 12-year-old girl, who was reported missing by family in Alice Springs on Wednesday night after she failed to return home.

Police say Dorothy Cook, who is known to have an underlying medical condition, was last seen by family members at a home in Sadadeen about 6pm Wednesday.

Police and family hold concerns for the youth’s welfare, as she requires daily medication to treat her medical condition.

Dorothy is described as being 165cm tall, with a slight built, fair complexion, blonde hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a camo-coloured green top and turn-denim shorts.

Police urge anyone who has seen or knows of Jaide’s whereabouts, to contact police immediately on 131 444 or anonymously via crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police urge anyone with information which may assist with investigations, to report it via 131 444 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Flasher in Alice Springs

A GROUP of angry bystanders took down an alleged flasher after he exposed himself in Alice Springs.

NT Police confirmed a man was restrained by members of the public after an incident near the Royal Flying Doctor Service lawns.

Police received reports of a man indecently exposing himself in the area of Stuart Terrace, between Bath St and the Stuart Highway around 8.30am on Monday.

It will be alleged the man exposed himself and assaulted a worker of a nearby business.

Police said when they arrived at the scene they found the man had been restrained by members of the public.

He was taken to the Alice Springs Watch House and charged with two counts of gross indecency in a public place, one count of unlawful entry and one count of aggravated assault.

The man is set to appear before court on Tuesday.

Police have urged anyone who may have witnessed the incident or have relevant information, including dashcam footage from the area, to contact police on 131 444, quoting the reference number 9963243.

Trio arrested for alleged group sexual assault of teen girl

POLICE have arrested a man who was on the run from the law after a teenage girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by a group of men in a Katherine home

NT Police have confirmed three people have been arrested following reports of an assault in the early hours of Monday morning.

Police said the 18-year-old woman was out with a 16-year-old and two 20-year-old men, with the group going to two locations before going to a Katherine South home.

It will be alleged that the three males sexually assaulted her while at the home.

She contacted police immediately after the alleged incident.

Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Lawson said on Monday, police arrested the teenager and one of the 20-year-olds.

Snr Sgt said the third accused was arrested on Tuesday morning, after “actively avoiding police” for hours.

“All our available resources (were) directed toward his arrest and it (was) only a matter of time.”

Snr Sgt Lawson said charges are yet to be laid.

Two men arrested in Alice Springs for stealing car parts

UPDATE, 7AM TUES: TWO men who broke into a rural home near Alice Springs and stole a variety of items have been arrested and charged.

NT Police report two men, 41 and 47-years-old, were captured by CCTV walking onto a Ilparpa Rd property and stealing car parts before leaving.

Police were notified and further investigations conducted by members from Strike Force Viper lead to the discovery of the two men and the stolen items.

The pair were arrested and transported to the Alice Springs Watch House where they were each charged with one count each of Trespass and Stealing.

The 47-year-old man will appear before court and the 41-year-old man was issued with a Notice to Appear on May 4.

Katherine blaze

UPDATE 1.3PM MON: AUTHORITIES are investigating if a series of blazes lit in Katherine over the past 48-hours can be traced back to a firebug.

Northern Territory Police have confirmed at least two suspicious fires lit on the weekend are being treated as connected.

It comes after Northern Territory Fire Rescue Service crews were called to a number of suspicious fires, including a blaze at a Giles St commercial premises at 4.30pm, Sunday.

Fire crews arrived to find a storage unit completely destroyed by the blaze.

Around the same time, crews were called to a second fire at a Fordham Ct home.

No injuries were reported at either fire.

Police said both fires come after a similar incident at the same location on Giles street at 1.30pm, Saturday.

Crews arrived at the scene to find residents battling a fire on Giles St after black smoke was spotted emanating from a commercial premises.

One man was treated for minor injuries at the scene.

On Monday Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Lawson confirmed the Katherine Criminal Investigation Branch and a Fire Investigator from Darwin were looking to find the cause of these fires and those responsible.

“These are serious incidents and at this stage we believe at least two of them are linked,” Snr Sgt. Lawson said.

“It is incredibly lucky no one was seriously injured.”

Snr Sgt Lawson urged anyone who witnessed anything suspicious, or who has other information, to contact 131 444 and quote the reference number 9962833.

EARLIER: POLICE are calling for information following a structure fire in Katherine.

Around 1.30pm emergency services received reports a commercial premises on Giles St was emanating black smoke.

Upon emergency services arriving, residents had evacuated the area and contained the fire themselves.

One man was treated for minor injuries.

A fire investigator along with the Katherine Criminal Investigation Branch are investigating the blaze.

“Investigations are ongoing and detectives haven’t ruled out the fire as suspicious,” Senior Sergeant Paul Lawson.

“Anyone who witnessed suspicious behaviour in the vicinity of Giles Street yesterday is urged to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference 9961817.”

Katherine man charged over alleged child abuse material

A 30-year-old man from Katherine has been arrested and charged with 12 counts of child abuse-related offences.

An investigation from Australian Federal Police and NT Police was launched in December 2021 after a report from an American organisation that the man was allegedly using Discord to upload child abuse material.

Investigators executed a search warrant on the man’s property on Thursday, seizing a mobile phone. They allege the Discord account was on the device and are now forensically examining it.

The 12 charges include soliciting child abuse material using a carriage service, and three counts of using a carriage service to procure persons under 16 years of age.

AFP acting sergeant Cain Denman appealed for parents and carers to monitor what apps children were using.

“Supervision is not only critical to helping prevent an incident happening, but can also help adults to quickly take action if they need to alert law enforcement,” Sgt Denman said.

Stuart Hwy lanes closed for hours after collision

THE Stuart Hwy on the northside of Alice Springs was closed for hours on Saturday morning after a traffic collision.

NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services said the southbound lanes of the highway were closed and motorists were being urged to slow down.

There was a heavy police presence in the area.

The southbound lanes were still closed at 11am Saturday, but were reopened by 12.30pm.

Charges laid after bottle shop break in

A GROUP of people allegedly broke into a Darwin bottle shop armed with weapons on Friday night.

At around 5.55pm police received a report of an aggravated robbery at the BWS store in Bellamack.

Watch Commander Rob Overall said the group members were all male and included youths.

“The group allegedly forced entry into the store while armed with weapons and began to steal liquor and damage property,” he claimed.

“The staff in attendance were forced to hide behind the service counter as the men threatened them demanding alcohol.”

Police said metal bars were used to damage property and ransack the store.

Nearby patrons were able to assist the situation by apprehending the alleged offenders, however one patron was allegedly assaulted and injured.

Palmerston General Duties officers attended the scene and three alleged offenders were taken into custody including two youths, aged 15 and 16, and one 29-year-old adult.

The 15-year-old boy was charged with aggravated robbery, unlawful entry, damage to property and going armed in public.

The 16-year-old boy was charged with one count of aggravated robbery, one count of unlawful entry, one count of damage to property, one count of going armed in public, and three counts of aggravated assault.

Meanwhile, the 29-year-old was charged with recruiting a child to commit an offence, aggravated robbery, unlawful entry, damage to property and going armed in public.

All three were remanded to appear in court on March 28, 2022.

Detective Senior Sergeant Brett Cottier said investigations were continuing.

“Police would like to thank the members of the public who assisted,” he said.

“This sort of violent behaviour is completely unacceptable and has no place within our community.

“Anyone who witnessed this incident last night is urged to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference 9960952.”