Telegraph Tce closed after Commodore rear-ends tractor in Alice Springs

An Alice Springs road was closed for hours after a tractor was rear-ended, injuring four people.

A car rear-ended a tractor in Alice Springs, causing traffic diversions throughout Thursday.

An NT Police spokesman said the tractor had been travelling on Telegraph Tce when a black Commodore collided with it at 7.30am Thursday.

“The Commodore continued down the road where it side swiped a further vehicle before stopping,” he said.

“The driver has allegedly fled the scene.”

The spokesman said the tractor driver, as well as the Commodore’s three passengers, were taken to Alice Springs hospital with “non-life-threatening injuries”.

He said investigations into the Commodore’s driver and the circumstances of the crash were ongoing.

“Any person with information can call police on 131 444 and quote job reference number P23053745,” the spokesman said.

Adult store, accounting firm among damaging Alice Springs break-ins

An Alice Springs accountant is baffled how her second-storey firm was broken into on the same night eight businesses – including a sex shop – were targeted.

R & R Tax and Bookkeeping was among several Parsons St businesses targeted overnight Monday in Central Australia, with police seizing property of forensic value at a sex shop in the same complex.

Southern Watch Commander Allan Milner said CCTV footage from the complex appeared to show three youths involved in the adult store break in.

R & R director Vanessa Ronchetti said she believed the same group may have been involved in the break-in at her accountancy firm about 5am Tuesday.

Ms Ronchetti said the youths had broken in through a “very small” second-storey window, which would have been about the dimensions of a ruler.

“At the bottom of it, these had to have been very small children,” she said.

She said there was no balcony and just a small window ledge on the second storey.

“It is scary … and these children were doing it at night,” she said.

Adult store Wonderland in Alice was one of eight businesses broken into in Alice Springs overnight Monday, February 20, 2023. Picture: Contributed

She said no equipment was taken from the business.

Commander Milner said the first break-in was reported at Wonderland in Alice Springs, a sex shop on Parsons St.

“Between 11.25pm and 11.35pm (Monday), we were alerted to an intruder on the premises,” Commander Milner said.

“Members attended however security were there.

“Nothing was stolen but we did see property that may be of some forensic value.

“There was CCTV footage and it showed three male youths.

“We believed they may have jimmied a window to get into the store.”

A police spokesman said they were currently investigating a number of incidents of criminal damage and unlawful entries on eight businesses along Parsons Street in Alice Springs.

Commander Milner said overall it was a “pretty good” night for police.

“There were not that many domestic disturbances, everything was down,” he said.

“Town was quiet compared to previous weeks.

Road spikes halt stolen car holding 11 youths

Almost a dozen youths emerged from an intercepted stolen vehicle in the Alice Springs CBD overnight.

Southern Watch Commander Allan Milner said police had to use road spikes to slow the white Toyota Prado, which was one of four vehicles stolen from a single premises.

Commander Milner said officers were called to the Peter Sitzler building on the Stuart Highway about 11.15pm on Sunday.

“What alerted us was alarms going off at the premises,” he said.

“We believed the group jimmied a rear door to gain entry although that hasn’t been confirmed.

“Four vehicles were stolen and were seen being driven around the CBD shortly after.”

Commander Millner said it took several hours for three of the vehicles to be recovered.

“The manner of driving and speed was dangerous and we try not to get into pursuits when youths are involved, that’s why we got the spikes out,” he said.

“The spikes did slow the vehicle down however there was a short pursuit before the vehicle was stopped.

Ten youths were arrested at the scene, ranging from 10 to 19-years-old.

Two 10-year-olds were released into the care of responsible adults while the remaining eight alleged offenders were taken into police custody.

Commander Millner said charges would be laid later on Monday morning.

Detective Senior Sergeant Rob Kent said Strike Force Viper were continuing to investigate the thefts, with the two Hilux’s being recovered abandoned overnight.

“Driving an overcrowded, stolen vehicle is not only dangerous to everyone inside it, it’s also dangerous for everyone on the roads and the police that have to respond to it,” Senior Sergeant Kent said.

“It’s lucky that no one was injured.

“We are continuing to urge the community to report any incidents of dangerous driving to 131 444 or in an emergency to call triple-0.

“You can also make an anonymous report through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”

The break-in marked one of five unlawful entries in Alice Springs in the 24 hours to midnight on Sunday, all of which were commercial businesses or organisations.

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Originally published as Telegraph Tce closed after Commodore rear-ends tractor in Alice Springs