Alice Springs Police find Dolly after alleged Braitling childcare break-in
Dolly the turtle’s relatively quiet life in an NT childcare centre took a wild turn after she was allegedly kidnapped by thieves.
Police & Courts
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DOLLY the turtle’s relatively quiet life in an Alice Springs childcare centre took a wild turn after she was allegedly kidnapped by thieves.
NT Southern Watch Commander said the Dolly, along with two iPads, were stolen from a Braitling early learning centre on Friday night.
Police allege a group of children broke into the centre about 8.30pm and took the turtle and electronics.
Police said when the four children were found they handed back the iPads.
But police later realised the childcare centre pet was still missing.
The Southern Watch Commander said the dog squad was used to track down the reptile.
The four children were directed to a youth diversion program.
It is understood Dolly was fine, although she may be a little shell shocked.
Nicholas Wiles missing in Red Centre
11.30AM SAT, JUNE 25: A 35-year-old man who left his parents’ home on Wednesday and hasn’t been seen since has been reported missing in Central Australia.
Nicholas Wiles left the Connellan house four days ago in the morning.
According to police, his absence is considered out of character and concerns are held for his welfare.
Mr Wiles is described as Caucasian male of skinny build, with blue eyes, dark brown hair and a fair complexion.
He was last seen wearing a black puffer jacket, blue denim jeans and a white/grey T Shirt.
Anyone with information on Mr Wiles whereabouts is urged to contact police on 131 444 or 1800 333 000.
NT Police have charged a man after he allegedly stole a vehicle used in a robbery
A 31-year-old man has been arrested after NT Police located a stolen car used in an aggravated robbery.
A Police officer off-duty located a vehicle in Berrimah on Friday, which was reported as stolen in May.
NT Police allege the same vehicle was used in an aggravated robbery earlier this month.
“A coordinated response with Serious Crime Squad, Dog Operations Unit, Darwin Traffic Operations and Palmerston General Duties resulted in the arrest of the driver,” Detective Senior Sergeant Brett Cottier said.
“This has been a very busy week for the squad – thanks to the vigilance of an off-duty member, we effected our tenth arrest for serious offending this week.”
A 31-year-old man was charged with one count of aggravated unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count of possessing stolen property.
The mans bail has not been determined.
Kids charged after alleged hospital break ins
TWO children have been arrested after they allegedly smashed the windows of 25 of cars in the Alice Springs CBD and hospital carpark.
Investigations undertaken by Strike Force Viper identified two youths, aged 12 and 13 years old allegedly involved in the criminal damage on Wednesday.
Police arrested the pair on Friday, and charged them with 16 counts of damage to property and two counts of trespassing.
A 12-year-old boy will be dealt with under the Youth Justice Act.
Police have strongly opposed bail for the 13-year-old boy.
They are continuing to search for other people allegedly involved.
Cops dive for safety in Central Australia
POLICE officers had to dive behind their vehicle for safety in the Alice Springs CBD after a driver of a vehicle deliberately sped directly towards the officers.
On Wednesday at 11.18pm, an orange Nissan 350Z coupe was spotted by cops, speeding along Gregory Tce and Hartley St before accelerating hard and skidding before driving at police officers at speed.
Police reports say the officers attempted to intercept the coupe twice during the ordeal.
However, they say the vehicle swerved across four lanes of traffic and drove on the wrong side of the road before turning onto Bath St.
The driver then ran a red light and turned onto Stott Tce and headed for Larapinta Dr before officers lost sight of the vehicle.
Southern K9 Unit observed the vehicle travelling on Bloomfield Street and parked outside a property when a single occupant fled the vehicle.
The Nissan coupe has since been seized for hooning offences under the Traffic Act 1987 and will be impounded for a 48 hour period.
A 39-year-old man is currently assisting police with inquiries.
Call for witnesses
POLICE are calling for witnesses to an alleged assault in Malak earlier this month after arresting two young boys after the incident on June 13.
Strike Force Trident are continuing to investigate after the boys, aged 10 and 12, allegedly attended a service station on Chambers Crescent on the afternoon of June 13, where a staff member “recognised them by sight”.
Constable Ben Paterson said they boys then allegedly assaulted two staff members.
“They then boarded a bus heading towards Karama, where they were arrested a short time later,” he said.
“Witnesses who are yet to be identified were observed in the nearby area on CCTV and may be able to assist with our investigations.”
Man charged after allegedly doing burnout and driving at police
A MAN who is alleged to have done a burn out in his vehicle before driving at police in Alice Springs on the weekend has been charged and his vehicle seized.
The man will appear before the Alice Springs Local Court on July 20, charged with failing to obey directions of a police officer, driving in a dangerous manner, causing a loss of traction while driving, driving with a High Range of blood alcohol, and exceeding the speed limit.
Frontline officers from the Alcohol Policing Unit observed the vehicle allegedly being driven in an erratic manner throughout the Alice Springs CBD area on Friday night.
Members indicated for the vehicle to stop, which it did momentarily before allegedly driving off at high speeds.
The vehicle was sighted again at Old Timers camp where officers attempted to block the vehicle, when it is alleged the driver did a ‘doughy’ before driving at police and narrowly missing police vehicles.
Officers from the Drone Unit were deployed and followed the vehicle to a Sadadeen address where members located and arrested a 26-year-old man who is alleged to have been the driver of the vehicle.
The vehicle was seized and impounded for a period of 48 hours.
The man was breath tested and returned a positive reading.
St John NT: Man taken to hospital after car and motorcycle collide in Woodroffe
A MOTORCYCLIST was rushed to hospital with non life-threatening injuries after colliding with car on a Top End road.
St John NT operations manager Craig Garraway said the male rider received “quite a nasty” laceration to his leg after crashing on Emery Ave, Woodroffe, about 11.50am on Wednesday.
“Not life threatening but required attendance by paramedics and transport to the hospital for further treatment,” Mr Garraway told ABC Darwin.
It comes just a day after another motorcyclist was killed in Noonamah when an oncoming 4WD turned right in front of him.
“So just a warning out there to everyone, please be aware of motorbikes, or bike riders or pedestrians and keep your eye out and make that little bit of an extra look to keep them safe,” Mr Garraway said.
Alice Springs home saved
FIRE and Rescue Services have saved a home from a fire which destroyed a parked car in Alice Springs on Wednesday morning.
Rescue services responded to multiple reports of smoke and explosions around Lyndavale Dr at 4am.
Crews found a parked vehicle ablaze with fire threatening to enter the roof cavity of the nearby home.
Fire teams managed to get the blaze under control within 15 minutes preventing the spread of the flame from entering the home.
However, the car was completely destroyed and the house sustained minor damaged to its exterior. No one was injured.
NT Fire Investigators are assisting police with investigations.
Cops arrest man allegedly seen threatening shoppers with weapon
POLICE have arrested a man allegedly seen threatening shoppers with a weapon in Darwin’s northern suburbs on Monday.
Watch commander Joshua Cunningham said police were called to the Malak shops shortly before 1pm, with witnesses reporting “a man armed with an edged weapon was threatening people”.
The dog squad was deployed with patrol dogs Drax and Wedge and officers spotted a man “armed with what appeared to be a blunt weapon”.
“They commenced negotiations with the (alleged) offender, who was soon taken into custody without incident,” Sr Sgt Cunningham said.
“Police negotiations can be tricky, but the presence of both police patrol dogs, Drax and Wedge, resolved this matter quickly and in our favour.
“No one was injured as a result of this incident and the 29-year-old man is likely to be charged this afternoon.”
Man charged after alleged assault on man he knew
A 44-year-old man has been arrested by police after he allegedly assaulted and robbed a man he knew on Thursday.
NT Police detectives arrested man after the alleged assault of a 63-year-old in the area of Palmerston.
Detective Senior Sergeant Brett Cottier said Serious Crime Detectives conducted a special operation which tracked the man to the Palmerston area.
“Detectives located the alleged offender in Gunn yesterday afternoon and arrested him without incident,” he said.
The man was charged with one count of aggravated robbery and one count of damage to property.
He was remanded in custody to appear in Darwin Local Count on Friday.
Man charged after allegedly threatening employer with gun
A 50-YEAR-OLD man who allegedly threatened his employer with a gun last week has been charged with a number of firearm offences.
Police arrested the man on June 10 after going to the business at Pruen Rd, Berrimah.
Serious Crime detectives charged him with assault – threaten with a firearm, possessing and using a firearm while unlicensed, possession a firearm with altered ID marks, possessing ammunition without permit, failing to meet storage requirements and having an unregistered firearm.
He has been remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court on July 18.
Detective Senior Sergeant Brett Cottier said the quick arrest was a result of collaborative effort between police departments.
“The quick arrest and subsequent retrieval of the illegal firearm was the result of collaborative efforts from a number of police branches including general duties, dog squad and Serious Crime,” he said.
“NT Police will continue to target those who possess any type of prohibited weapon.”
Police calling for witnesses of hay bale fire
NT Police are calling for information after hay bales were set alight in Middle Point overnight on Tuesday.
Police believe large hay bales were set alight on a property bordering Arnhem Highway.
Bushfires NT volunteers were at the scene and put out the fire but commended a passer-by grader driver who assisted the volunteers by putting a firebreak around the burning hay.
Watch Commander Josh Cunningham said investigations are ongoing, but the circumstances around the fire are being treated as suspicious.
“NT Police are urging anyone with information, particularly dashcam footage from Tuesday night, to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference 10034144,” he said.
“You can also anonymously contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
Police calling for witnesses of vehicle fire
NT Police are calling for information after a vehicle fire in Parap early on Tuesday morning.
An interstate visitor had parked his Toyota HiLux on Charlotte St around 9pm on June 13.
At 3am the following morning residents in the area were woken by a loud bang as the HiLux erupted in flames.
Firefighters and police attended the scene of the flame and extinguished the flame with investigations still underway on the cause of the fire.
“Police have canvassed the area and conducted doorknocks,” Detective Senior Sergeant Brett Cottier said
“We’d like to speak to anyone who was in the area or who may have private CCTV or other footage that could assist our investigations.”
Police say drugs found in secret compartment
POLICE say they have foiled an alleged cannabis smuggler’s plans after uncovering a stash of the drug hidden in a secret, custom-made car compartment.
Southern Drugs Investigation detectives in Alice Springs executed a search warrant on a 47-year-old man’s car and allegedly found 6.35kg of cannabis with a street value of more than $100,000.
NT Police allege the cannabis was found in a custom made compartment under the vehicle.
Police further allege the man was found with a large sum of cash.
The man was arrested and taken to Alice Springs Watch House where he was charged with one count of possession of a commercial quantity of drugs and one count of supply of commercial quantity of drugs.
He has been bailed and will appear in court on July 6.
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