Crime wrap: Six break-ins in Alice Springs, another two in Tennant overnight

Police across the Territory had their hands full overnight as warmer conditions saw a spike in break-and-enters.

POLICE were called to eight break-ins in Central Australia and the Barkly Region on Friday night and Saturday morning, with warmer temperatures seeing increased criminal activity.

Six of the incidents were in Alice Springs with a further two in Tennant Creek.

NT Police said the first reported break-in came through Friday afternoon for a business along the Todd Mall, but is believed to have occurred on anytime between Thursday afternoon and Friday.

Officers also attended break-ins overnight at Head St, Braitling where two motor vehicle keys were stolen.

There was another break-in at a residential property in Alice Springs in which intruders smashed their way through a glass door and drunk soft drink and cigarettes, but stole no items on Saturday morning.

One youth is in custody after a South Australian motor vehicle was stolen from a property in the early hours of Saturday morning and driven around the CBD. Police managed to stop the car at 5am.

Two motor vehicles were also reported stolen along Cunning St at 6am Saturday.

Two further incidents were reported in Tennant Creek.

Forensics are investigating after a break in of an apartment on Blain St, with police not yet sure what was stolen.

Intruders also managed to break into a home on Smith St through a kitchen window, making off with a bike and backpack.

Woman struck by crowbar, delivery vehicle stolen from Darwin service station

A WOMAN was struck by a crowbar and then had her delivery vehicle stolen at a service station on Friday morning.

Police allege a 17-year-old male allegedly struck the woman and stole her delivery vehicle at a Berrimah service station around 3am Friday morning.

Acting senior sergeant Xavier McMahon said police used a tyre deflation device to slow down the offender.

“We were able to track the vehicle to an address in Knuckey Lagoon, the offender — a 17-year-old male — then exited the vehicle and surrended to police,” A/Snr sergeant McMahon said.

The teen is being held in the Palmerston watch house and is expected to face charges later today.

A/Snr sergeant McMahon said that, in addition, a second teenager will likely face charges on Friday as well.

“When police went to make the arrest of the first offender, the second offender has come out of a residence,” he said.

“The second offender, a 16-year-old male, then attempted to intervene and stop police from carrying out their duty,” he said.

The female victim of the first assault was provided first aid by St John Ambulance.

“There was no serious harm caused to the woman,” A/Snr sergeant McMahon said.

NT Police charge motorcyclist with speeding, drug driving in Winnellie

A MOTORCYCLIST who allegedly clocked 78km/h in a 60km zone has been charged with multiple driving offences, including speeding and drug driving.

After 8.30am on Tuesday NT Police allegedly spotted the 48-year-old man failing to stop at the intersection of Bombing Rd and Winnellie Rd in Winnellie.

Darwin Traffic Operations officer in charge Senior Sergeant John Ginnane said the man was driving at 78km/h in a 60km zone. He was also riding with a disqualified licence on an unregistered and uninsured bike.

“He was subjected to a roadside drug test which returned a positive result and was subsequently arrested for the purpose of a secondary analysis,” Snr Sgt Ginnane said.

“The secondary saliva analysis proved positive for THC.”

The man was arrested and charged with not stopping at a stop sign, exceeding speeds of 16 to 30km/h over the limit and driving a motor vehicle while unlicensed.

He was also charged with driving an unregistered vehicle, an uninsured vehicle and with a prohibited drug in the body.

The man was later bailed.

The main failed to stop at the intersection of Bombing Rd and Winnellie Rd. Picture: Google Maps

“Driving, or in this case riding with no licence, committing multiple traffic offences on an unregistered uninsured motor vehicle with illicit drugs detected in their systems,” Snr Sgt Ginnane said.

“Make no mistake, these actions were not inadvertent – they were conscious, deliberate acts on the part of the motorist, and in our view that makes these actions malicious, rather than merely stupid. Our laws are in place for the sole purpose of protecting lives.

“Speed kills, unregistered vehicles may not meet safety standards and driving with illicit drugs in your body impairs your capability to react and potentially save your own or someone else’s life.

“If motorists make this choice, they will spend a number of hours in our watch house, followed by an appearance in court along with the sanctions they impose, and also deal with the attendant effects on their employment and standing in the community. We have no tolerance for the danger this deliberate behaviour places everyday motorists in. These people can expect to be held to account.”