Alice Springs homes targeted five times in one night as police battle break-in trend

Five Alice Springs homes were targeted in the latest string of offences in Alice Springs. Find out how many break-ins occur in the region annually.

Alice Springs police have reported a higher than usual number of break-ins overnight with several vacant homes targeted.

Alice Springs continues to battle break-ins in the new year as police allege five homes were targeted between Thursday night and Friday morning.

NT Police said the first was an Eastside home, and three occurred in Gillen, and the fifth occurred at the Gap View Hotel, near the camping area.

Officers said the four Gillen break-ins could be linked.

It is understood a woman was arrested in relation to the Gap View Hotel break-in.

NT Police would not confirm if any items were stolen from each of the homes.

In the 12 months to November 2022, NT Police recorded 1006 residential break-ins, up 25.75 per cent for the same period in 2021.

There were 797 commercial break-ins in the same period, up 55.97 per cent from 2021.

15-year-old charged after stolen car collides with civilian

A 15-year old boy has been charged in relation to a stolen ute involved in an Alice Springs crash.

The boy was charged with the unlawful use of a motor vehicle and a serious breach of bail.

NT Police said the youth would appear in court on Thursday.

It is understood two 13-year-old boys who were also involved in the incident on Wednesday night will be dealt with under the Youth Justice Act 2005 provisions.

Officers said no-one was seriously injured in the crash.

Police said a second car, a 2008 gold Subaru Forester, was stolen from a Gillen home on Tuesday but was not reported until Wednesday.

Police said the Forester’s owner returned to his Hong St home about 6pm Tuesday and found three men inside.

The occupant was allegedly threatened with an edged weapon before the trio fled in the Forester.

Officers said the two cars were spotted multiple times hooning in the Alice Springs CBD at 8.50pm on Wednesday night.

Police said the thieves drove both stolen cars at speed through the Charles Creek area and onto the Stuart Hwy.

Officers said the Triton was intercepted after it crashed, and the Forester was later found abandoned on Dixon Rd, Braitling.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Rob Kent said Strike Force Viper was working “tirelessly apprehend offenders who put the safety of the wider community at risk”.

“We continue to urge the community to report any incidences of crime on 131 444 or in an emergency 000,” he said.

Search under way for escaped prisoner

Police are searching for an escaped prisoner who allegedly assaulted two police officers before fleeing the Elliot Police Station watch house.

About 3.30pm on Tuesday, Earl Junior Foster allegedly escaped custody after knocking two police officers to the ground and forcing his way past them.

One of the officers suffered a cut to his cheek and was taken to Tennant Creek Hospital for treatment.

Foster was due to be transported to Tennant Creek before his alleged escape.

Foster is described as being of Aboriginal appearance with a medium build and brown eyes.

He was last seen wearing a black singlet with the word “dream” on the front and back and black shorts.

Superintendent Mark Grieve said Foster was not believed to be a risk to the public but urged people not to approach him.

“Additional police resourcing has been deployed to Elliot from Tennant Creek to assist with investigations,” he said.

He urged anyone who sighted Foster to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Two groups of three break into two Alice Springs homes

An Alice Springs homeowner disturbed three intruders inside his property in one of two unlawful entries now subject to a public appeal.

Police said the resident returned to his Hong St home in Gillen about 6pm Tuesday and found three men inside.

The occupant was allegedly threatened with an edged weapon before the trio fled in the homeowner’s gold 2008 Subaru Forester.

Police said the trio was described as Aboriginal in appearance, aged in their late teens to early 20s, and were wearing dark clothing.

In another incident, a Lovegrove Dr resident woke to find three men inside their property about 4.25am Wednesday.

Police said the resident was threatened “with a number of weapons” before the trio fled in the occupant’s silver Toyota HiLux.

The trio’s description matched that of the group at the Hong St home.

The Southern Crime Squad is investigating both incidents but were yet to determine if they were linked.

“Police are urging anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage of any suspicious behaviour in the vicinity of Hong Street and Lovegrove Drive, to make contact on 131 444,” Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Janice Kershaw said.

Callers should quote reference number 10222115.

Break-ins spike over holiday season with empty Alice Springs homes hit

Police have reported yet another night consumed by a “higher than expected” number of break-ins in Alice Springs.

Acting Senior Sergeant Michael Wyatt said officers received reports of nine alleged unlawful entries in the Red Centre overnight, some of which police had not yet attended by 6am Tuesday.

“Three of those were business premises – the Leichhardt Building on Gregory Tce, Millner Rd Foodtown in Gillen, and the Subway at Coles Express in Gillen,” Senior Sergeant Wyatt said.

“The remainder were residential premises with one in Braitling, three in Eastside, one at the Gap and one at Desert Springs.

“Unfortunately nothing was unusual or significant about the unlawful entries but a notable portion of houses were vacant or its owners are away for holidays.

“Smashed windows to gain entry tends to be the trend.

“They’re usually in search of keys to motor vehicles and alcohol.”

Police also recovered two vehicles stolen overnight after apprehending three youths.

A Toyota Kluger was recaptured after police deployed a tyre slashing device on the Stuart Hwy at Braitling about 2am.

The other vehicle, a white dual-cab Toyota HiLux stolen from Hermannsburg, ran out of fuel on Undoolya Rd about midnight.

The children involved were returned home without being charged because of their age.

A white Nissan Tiida allegedly stolen after a house break-in at The Gap on Sunday night remains outstanding.

Male youth arrested after stolen car was found abandoned

NT Police have arrested a male youth and recovered one of two vehicles stolen from an unattended Braitling home.

Officers said the silver Subaru was successfully tyre spiked on Bradshaw Dr and later found abandoned on Larapinta Dr on Monday.

They said a 13-year-old boy was arrested soon after and is assisting police inquiries.

It is understood the second stolen motor vehicle, a dual-cab Ford Ranger with a fibreglass canopy on the back, has not been located.

Officers said both cars were stolen early on Sunday evening and later seen driving through the Braitling and eastern Alice Springs areas.

It is understood one car was a silver, dual-cab Ford Ranger with a fibreglass canopy on the back, and the other was a silver Subaru Forester with Tasmanian registration.

Police were not able to intercept either vehicle and have not yet identified the people involved in the incident.

Officers have not been able to speak to the owners of the vehicles yet.

NT Police received 10 break-in reports in Alice Springs over the past 24-hour period.

Police said the string of offences amounted to a “higher than usual number of unlawful entries” on Sunday.

Originally published as Alice Springs homes targeted five times in one night as police battle break-in trend