Alice Springs crime: Man extradited from SA after six months in hiding

A man has been extradited from SA and charged over what police allege was a “particularly violent attack” last year. See the 10 charges laid.

Police in Alice Springs. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

A young man has been extradited from South Australia and charged after almost seven months allegedly on the run.

Police allege that on September 21 2023, the 26 year-old man seriously assaulted his partner at a business premise in the Alice Springs CBD.

Police allege the man then drove from the scene before crashing a short time later.

The man allegedly fled to South Australia in a bid to avoid apprehension.

On March 28 2024, detectives from South Australia Police arrested the alleged fugitive, where NT investigators travelled to Adelaide to extradite him.

The man was charged with aggravated assault, engaging in conduct that contravenes DVO, recklessly endanger serious harm, using a motor vehicle without consent, armed with an offensive weapon, engaging in violent conduct, driving a motor vehicle in a dangerous manner, damage to property, driving unlicensed, and driving an unregistered or uninsured vehicle.

He was remanded to appear in Alice Springs Local Court on Thursday.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant David Munro acknowledged the support of his interstate law authorities.

“This was a particularly violent attack with this individual having been an active arrest target for some time and thanks to our collaboration with other jurisdictions we now have him in custody,” he said.

“NT Police will not stand for domestic and family violence and this man will face court for it.”

‘Relatively quiet’ night despite stolen vehicle chase, police say

Police have seized a vehicle stolen from the Gillen area but have yet to identify the people involved in its theft.

Southern Watch Commander Thomas Chalk said the vehicle was reported stolen after 10.30pm Sunday.

Sergeant Chalk said police pursued the vehicle for a short period before tyre deflation devices were deployed.

He said the vehicle was recovered in the Alice Springs area.

Sergeant Chalk said no one had been arrested in relation to the incident and urged witnesses to contact police.

He said police recorded a “significant decrease” in domestic violence incidents over the 24-hour period.

Sergeant Chalk said the Alice Springs CBD was “relatively quiet” with “no issues reported in the curfew area”.

TRG deployed to Alice Springs, credited with saving man’s life

March 31: NT Police has revealed it has sent its elite Territory Response Group to Alice Springs amid a youth curfew in the Red Centre, crediting members with saving a resident’s life.

Assistant Commissioner Peter Kennon said TRG members and general duties officers were called to a reported stabbing at a home at an undisclosed location somewhere in Alice Springs on Sunday.

Mr Kennon said upon arrival shortly after 5am, the officers found a 32-year-old man had been stabbed in the back and arrested another person.

He said TRG members “provided immediate and vital medical intervention”, with the man suffering two lacerations to his right forearm, lacerations to one of his legs and a stab wound to his back.

St John paramedics then took the 32-year-old to Alice Springs Hospital where he remains in a serious condition while the alleged offender is expected to face charges on Sunday.

“The officers who attended the scene initially are to be commended,” Mr Kennon said.

“Police have been informed by St John that the excellent work of members delivering initial first aid to the victim more than likely saved his life.”

Police Commissioner Michael Murphy sent reinforcements to Alice Springs following a riot involving up to 150 people outside a pub and at a town camp early last week.

But it was previously unclear whether the group included members of the TRG, with the elite tactical unit still mired in a racism scandal following bombshell evidence to a Coronial inquest in Alice Springs last month.

Members of the TRG have denied any racism exists within the unit.