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Paul Dairiyi charged over alleged Berrimah camping store ram raid and theft of weapons

Police allege a Wadeye teenager was busted with a dozen weapons and 300 arrows in a stolen car.

NT Police allegedly seized 300 arrows, 5 crossbows, machetes and swords after a reported ram raid in Berrimah. Picture: supplied.
NT Police allegedly seized 300 arrows, 5 crossbows, machetes and swords after a reported ram raid in Berrimah. Picture: supplied.

A teenage trio allegedly smashed their way into a camping store in a stolen ute before grabbing a dozen weapons.

Paul Dairiyi appeared behind the security screen at Darwin Local Court on Friday charged over the alleged ram raid at a Berrimah camping store.

The 19-year-old is one of three teenage boys who were arrested on Thursday, allegedly in a stolen vehicle with a small trove of weapons including 10 bows, five crossbows, 300 arrows, machetes, hunting knives and even a sword.

Defence lawyer Codey Larkin said the 19-year-old man had four other files currently before the Wadeye courts.

Wadeye has been at the centre of a month-long revival of community unrest, with reports of violence and antisocial behaviour flaring up in the West Daly town, prompting specialist police to travel to the area.

Mr Larkin made no application for bail, with Dairiyi to face a directions hearing on February 19.

NT Police allegedly seized a small trove of weapons including 10 bows, five crossbows, 300 arrows, machetes, hunting knives and even a sword. Picture: supplied.
NT Police allegedly seized a small trove of weapons including 10 bows, five crossbows, 300 arrows, machetes, hunting knives and even a sword. Picture: supplied.

Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst alleged on Thursday that Dairiyi, an 18-year-old and a 16-year-old were involved in the theft of three vehicles at Cullen Bay, Woolner and Yarrawonga.

It is alleged Dairiyi, alongside the younger teenagers used a stolen ute to crash into the front door of Mitchells Adventure, a Berrimah camping store on the Stuart Highway.

CCTV allegedly captured the teenagers grabbing as many weapons as they could carry before fleeing the building.

Mr Wurst said police used tyre spikes to stop two vehicles near Adelaide River, 100km south of the alleged ram raid site.

Dairiyi was arrested and charged with unlawful, dangerous and unlicensed driving, property damage, trespass, not stopping after a crash, aggravated burglary, theft and dangerous driving during a pursuit.

A third vehicle was abandoned at Acacia Hills, with an 18-year-old taken to a local clinic after allegedly crashing the stolen vehicle.

Police said the 18-year-old and the 16-year-old boy would both be charged with unlawful and unlicensed driving, theft, property damage, breach of bail, aggravated burglary and failure to report a crash.

A 16-year-old boy was also taken to hospital with minor injures for treatment after being bitten by a police dog, however police would not disclose where he was bitten.

“Every time a police officer uses force the matter is reviewed,” a NT Police spokesman said.

Read related topics:Local Crime NT

Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-nt/paul-dairiyi-charged-over-alleged-berrimah-camping-store-ram-raid-and-theft-of-weapons/news-story/7becd2ea0314a3256069c9bd81fbb7ea