Winnellie bottle shop worker injured while trying to stop thieves
Territory police are investigating after a Darwin bottle shop worker was dragged off by a pair of booze thieves.
Police & Courts
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A bottle shop worker was dragged off by a pair of booze thieves while trying to stop their getaway car.
Northern Watch Commander Tanya Woodcock confirmed a Winnellie bottle shop was robbed at 8pm Friday.
“We had two males get out of a vehicle in a drive-through, snatch two UDL cartons and flee in the car,” Senior Sergeant Woodcock said.
She said the bottle shop worker tried to stop them, but as he reached into the car the two men sped off dragging him a short distance.
Sergeant Woodcock said the worker suffered minor injuries and did not require medical treatment.
She said police did not want civilians putting themselves at risk by confronting thieves.
“We understand the urge to do so but we recommend that you don’t put yourself at risk to prevent loss of property,” Sergeant Woodcock said.
She said the investigation into the bottle shop incident was ongoing.
It comes as police responded to a serious crash which left a 68-year-old man with a broken pelvis and a head injury.
Sergeant Woodcock said the pedestrian was hit by a car while walking on Whitewood Rd, Howard Springs, near the petrol station.
NT Police diverted traffic from the closed section between Stow Road and Westall Road.
“It’s a bit of a black spot, we really urge pedestrians to try and be more careful,” Sergeant Woodcock said.
Sergeant Woodcock said the driver of that car stopped immediately and helped the pedestrian, and tested negative for drugs and alcohol.
She said the 68-year-old was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
NT Police prevent two vehicles carrying alcohol from entering Barunga
NT Police have intercepted 43 grams of cannabis and 24 litres of alcohol bound for a dry community.
Maranboy officers and the Dog Operations Unit pulled over two vehicles allegedly bound for Barunga on the Central Arnhem Hwy.
Senior Sergeant Mick Lunney said a woman allegedly fled from one of the cars, but was located by police and issued a drug infringement notice.
He said drug dog Rafa also located a handbag “stashed in a thick bush” containing cannabis.
Sergeant Lunney said the driver of the second car was issued a liquor infringement notice after the prohibited alcohol was seized from the car.
“Remote officers face a daunting challenge in their efforts to combat the illegal supply of alcohol and drugs into remote communities,” he said.
“The Dog Operations Unit has proven to be an invaluable resource in these situations.
“By travelling out to remote communities, their expertly trained dogs can detect and identify illegal substances with remarkable accuracy.
“This greatly enhances the effectiveness of remote police in their efforts to keep these communities safe from the harms associated with illicit drug and alcohol use.”
Meanwhile, Operation Fontina – launched in response to anti-social behaviour in Katherine – has resulted in the arrest of eight people.
Katherine Police Acting Superintendent Cherie Gaffney said among the eight was a young girl who was “immediately apprehended and arrested” after she allegedly stole a handbag from an elderly person.
Sergeant Gaffney said the operation also banned a 38-year-old man from Katherine Woolworths for his disorderly behaviour.
“Several recommendations have been received from the public to reduce the opportunity for anti-social behaviour, which will be provided to relevant agencies and stakeholders, and we’ll continue to work closely with the community to ensure a safe and secure environment for all residents and visitors to the region,” Sergeant Gaffney said.
Youths fail to start car in alleged aggravated robbery attempt
NT police have arrested three youths in relation to the assault and attempted theft of two women in the Darwin CBD.
Northern Watch Commander Ronald Mummery said the three youths aged 11, 13 and 15 approached a woman as she reached her car on Austin Lane after finishing work about 5pm Tuesday.
The youths allegedly attempted to steal the 21-year-old’s car, but were unable to start it forcing them to flee the scene.
As they were leaving Austin Lane they allegedly set upon another woman, 55, who was walking nearby and allegedly stole her handbag.
However, a passer-by, who also happened to be finishing work at the time, intervened and the three girls left the area on a bus.
CCTV operators tracked the youths and general duties and Strike Force Trident officers were eventually able to make an arrest when their bus arrived at Casuarina.
The 15-year-old and 13-year-old were charged on multiple offences including aggravated robbery and damage to property.
The 11-year-old was released from custody due to being under the age of criminal responsibility.
“Police obviously extend our appreciation to those people who intervened during the incident and would like to thank those members of the public,” Sergeant Mummery said.
Serious Crime Squad Detectives are investigating the incident.
Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Andrew Kren said the behaviour was “completely unacceptable”.
“There were several witnesses to the assaults, and police would like to speak with them if they haven’t already made contact.
“This type of behaviour is completely unacceptable and should not be occurring to members of our community.”
Anyone who witnessed either incident is urged to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference number 10442104.
Good Samaritan in citizen’s arrest after Palmerston knife attack
Police in Palmerston have arrested two youths who allegedly used an edged weapon to threaten a woman and her child in a city carpark.
Investigators said serious crime squad detectives were probing the incident on Tuesday where the woman was threatened with the weapon as she was returning with her young child to her vehicle near Goyder Square.
As the woman placed her child inside the vehicle about 11am Tuesday, one of the youths allegedly snatched her handbag from behind.
The pair allegedly had the woman’s car keys and demanded she remove the child before threatening her with the weapon.
A nearby witness came to the woman’s aid and restrained one of the youths, a 13-year-old boy, until police arrived and he was subsequently arrested.
While the hero held the 13-year-old, the other youth fled the scene.
The other 13-year-old has since been arrested by police and both youths have been charged with armed robbery and being armed with an offensive weapon.
It’s the second time in as many months a violent incident has occurred in a Palmerston carpark.
In July, this publication reported a 32-year-old man had been arrested by police after a brutal assault on an elderly minibus driver left him with a broken leg and multiple broken teeth.
US gov’t ‘immune’ from $7.6m claim over NT defence base BBQ explosion
A young American marine who suffered burns to a third of his body in a barbecue explosion in Darwin will not be given a cent from his own government.
Two Top End men charged with links to Filipino child abuse industry
Two greater Darwin men – one from the northern suburbs, the other from Palmerston – have been charged with involvement in the Philippines’ child abuse industry. One of the men appeared in court on Wednesday.