Alice Springs crime: NT Police probe house fire on Bokhara St, Larapinta
Police are seeking information on an early morning blaze in Alice Springs that consumed what the agency says was a vacant house. Rumour briefly spread online the fire was connected to an alleged home invasion last week.
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Welcome to the NT News’ weekly Alice Springs and Central rolling police, crime, traffic, fire and breaking news blog. Keep up with the latest across news from Alice Springs right up to the Barkly.
December 21, 2pm:NT Police is probing a house fire in Alice Springs that sparked in the early hours of Saturday morning, with the blaze occurring on the same street where an alleged home invasion earlier this month resulted in a baby’s skull being fractured.
In a statement released just before 1pm Saturday, police said the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre first received reports about 2am indicating a “residence was on fire on Bohkara Street [Larapinta], causing significant damage to the structure”.
“The residence was empty and does not currently have tenants,” police added.
“Northern Territory Police and NT Fire and Rescue Service attended and extinguished the blaze.
“Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.”
According to the NT Fire Incident Map, the incident was logged at 2.20am and closed at 4.22am.
Police are urging anyone with information to contact them on 131 444 and quote reference number NTP2400129993, or report the matter anonymously to Crime Stoppers NT.
Rumours briefly spread online the residence was connected to the two teenagers charged with last Wednesday’s home invasion that prompted national coverage and visits from Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and Police Commissioner Michael Murphy, but the claim was subsequently retracted.
NT Police did not comment.
The teenagers appeared in court last week, making no application for bail.
They are charged with offences including aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, unlawfully cause serious harm, aggravated assault and theft.
Car takes out traffic lights in Alice Springs
December 20, 4.55am: A blue Commodore has collided with a traffic light in Alice Springs after drifting through an intersection.
NT Police say the car was turning left onto Todd St, near the KFC, at 4.55am on Friday when it drifted through the intersection and crashed into a traffic light.
The impact caused significant damage to the light and the vehicle, police say.
The sole occupant got out of the car and walked away from the scene, Southern Watch Commander Deanne Ward said.
CCTV cameras in the area are being reviewed to assist in identifying the driver and investigations are ongoing.
Man arrested after alleged booze steal
December 19, 9.30pm: A man has been arrested for allegedly stealing alcohol from a Desert Springs hotel.
The 30-year-old man waited for a staff member to leave a storage room before preventing the door from closing, and getting into the secure area about 9.30pm on Thursday.
The man allegedly stole alcohol inside, Southern Watch Commander Deanne Ward said.
NT Police responded to the alleged theft quickly and arrested the man as he was attempting to drive away, she said.The man was charged with burglary, theft and several driving offences.
Police search on for alleged bike riding flasher in Alice Springs
December 18, 5pm: Alice Springs police are calling on the public’s help to track down a man who allegedly “exposed himself” to woman on a bike, and attempted to grab her.
Police said the 20-year-old woman was flashed by a man she did not know about 7.45pm on Thursday, December 12, when she was walking along Leichhardt Tce towards Barrett Drive.
She was coming south from the Stott Tce roundabout, police said, when a the man overtook her on bicycle.
“The man has allegedly stopped in front of her and indecently exposed himself to her, before attempting to grab her arm,” a police spokesperson said.
The woman managed to get away and was later picked up by friends.
The man fled the area and the woman reported the incident on Friday.
CCTV footage obtained by the police showed the man close to the Stott Tce roundabout, before the alleged flashing took place.
The public has been asked for assistance in finding the man.
“The man is described as being of dark complexion, 6ft tall, wearing a red or bright coloured jersey, light coloured pants, and white shoes. He was riding and walking with a light-yellow coloured bicycle,” police said.
Anyone with information – specifically dashcam footage from Tuncks Rd causeway and surrounds between 7.45pm and 8.00pm – is urged to contact police on 131 444.
Police have asked reference NTP2400127616 to be quoted.
Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.
Three arrests after NT jogger assaulted on morning run
December 18, 2pm: Three people are in custody after holding a jogger’s arms behind his back and stealing his mobile phone, NT police say.
Police said the jogger was robbed after he approached a group of people drinking in the Todd River about 6.40am Wednesday morning.
After speaking with the group, police said they become aggressive towards the jogger, allegedly throwing rocks and sticks at him.
He was not injured, police said.
His mobile was then stolen, police further allege, after the group restrained him by “holding the victim’s arms behind his back”.
Strike Force Viper attended, locating the phone near Mercorella Circuit in Sadadeen, in what Southern Commander James Gray-Spence called a “swift response”.
Two men, aged 30 and 32, and a 27-year-old female were arrested in connection.
Police said they were located in the Alice Springs CBD, with charges yet to be laid.
Investigations are ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444.
Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.
Police arrest six youths after taxi stolen from Gillen
December 15, 11pm: Police have arrested a group of youths who allegedly stole a taxi for a joy ride through Alice Springs.
Southern Watch Commander Lee Yates said six youths aged between 12 and 15 stole the car from a residential home in Gillen about 11pm on Sunday.
The group allegedly drove through the CDB towards Sadadeen, before heading back towards the centre of town.
Police started chasing the car and successfully brought it to a stop using tyre spikes.
Mr Yates said it was unlikely any of the youths would be charged due to their limited criminal histories, however the incident remains under investigation.
Paramedics assaulted at Lasseters Casino
December 15, 3.30am: A large group has allegedly harassed paramedics called to help a woman at Lasseters Casino.
At 3.30am on Sunday morning an ambulance was called for a 60 year old woman suffering a medical episode.
When paramedics arrived, they were allegedly set upon by a large group of people, who verbally abused the paramedics and physically attacked the ambulance vehicle.
The crew retreated to safety, and police were quick to respond, allowing the paramedics to treat their patient.
Person hurt as car drives away
December 14, 10.19pm: St John Ambulance received reports of a crash between a car and a pedestrian in Gillen on Saturday night.
Once first responders reached the scene it was revealed the patient had exited the vehicle, which had then driven off, resulting in the patient falling and injuring their shoulder.
They were taken to Alice Springs Hospital in a stable condition.
Two men knocked out in 10-person Alice Springs brawl
Two men were knocked out in a 10-man brawl in Alice Springs overnight, including one man who was allegedly kicked in the head while on the ground. Read the details.
Police investigating after body found in Alice Springs
A body has been found east of Alice Springs, sparking a police investigation. Read the details.