Groote Eylandt mine site goes into emergency lockdown after armed man allegedly threatens staff

A man who allegedly unlawfully entered a mine site and threatened staff is due to face court on a string of charges.

A Groote Eylandt mine site has been forced to go into an emergency lockdown after staff were allegedly threatened by an armed man on Thursday.

An NT Police spokesman said officers received reports the 21-year-old had unlawfully entered the site about 4.45pm.

The spokesman said the man then allegedly threatened staff on site.

He said the mining site went into an emergency lockdown before the man was arrested without incident.

The spokesman said a sledgehammer was seized by local police and an investigation was ongoing.

The man was charged with attempted aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, being armed with an offensive weapon and damage to property.

He will face the Darwin Local Court on Monday.

Cop needs surgery after suffering ‘puncture wound’ during arrest

A Territory police officer will need surgery after she suffered a “nasty puncture wound” during an confrontation with an axe-wielding man in Karama on Thursday.

Northern Watch Commander Sean Patterson said police responded to reports a 38-year-old man was allegedly wielding an axe during a fight with several other men in the Karama Shopping Centre carpark about 7.15pm.

Sergeant Patterson alleged the man was still in an “agitated and aggressive state” when police arrived at the scene.

An axe used during an alleged fight in the Karama Shopping Centre carpark on Thursday night.

He said the man allegedly struggled during his arrest and used an armband embedded with spikes to strike the 40-year-old police officer.

Sergeant Patterson said no one else was injured during the alleged incident.

He said the man remained in custody as investigations continued on Friday.

Sergeant Patterson said he expected the man would be charged with weapons offences.

An armband with spikes used during an alleged fight in the Karama Shopping Centre carpark on Thursday night.

Palmerston machete attack leaves man hospitalised

A machete attack has left a man in hospital after a group was allegedly set upon in Palmerston on Tuesday.

At about 1.30pm police received reports that a 26-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy had assaulted a group of five people with a machete and a metal pole at the Palmerston Bus Exchange.

A 24-year-old man suffered head injuries and a cut to his ear during the assault.

Security officers later seized a guitar case in the area that contained numerous weapons alleged to have been used in the violence.

Senior Sergeant Siiri Tennosaar praised the quick thinking of first responders to the incident.

“I would like to commend the work of the CCTV Operators who identified the offenders and the general duties officers who quickly responded, along with the security officers who assisted,” she said.

“There is no place for this sort of violence, particularly with weapons, within our community.”

The 26-year-old man was later charged with aggravated assault and going armed in public and was remanded to appear in the Darwin Local Court on Thursday.

The 16-year-old was released pending further investigations.

Teenagers charged following screwdriver attack

A man has been cut with a screwdriver and three teenagers arrested following a service station attack in Ludmilla.

About 11.00pm on Sunday, police received reports that four young men, including a 12-year-old, had entered and caused damage to a service station and threatened employees.

It is alleged one of the offenders assaulted a male employee with a screwdriver, causing a minor cut to his wrist which did not require medical treatment.

The group fled the scene.

On Monday, detectives from the Serious Crime Squad arrested a trio aged 12, 13 and 15 who were all later charged with theft, aggravated assault and two counts of aggravated robbery.

Another 13-year-old male was referred to the Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities.

Cannabis, vehicle seized in car interception

Police have seized 3,000 deal bags and 2.5kg of cannabis following a random breath test in West Arnhem on Friday.

A 33-year-old man was arrested and seized his vehicle which was carrying alcohol and drugs allegedly destined for Maningrida.

NT police seized cannabis and a vehicle at Gunbalanya on 10 November 2023.

Police intercepted a vehicle near Gunbalanya, along the Arnhem Highway, for a random breath test which led to the concealed drugs being identified.

Police also located two six-packs of beer.

The driver was charged with possession and supplying a commercial quantity of a schedule 2 drug.

The man was remanded in custody and due to appear in Darwin Local Court on Monday.

Vehicle roll leaves young man hospitalised

A young man has been left with serious injuries following a vehicle roll off the Arnhem Highway.

Police received a report at 10.30am a vehicle had rolled multiple times about 9km west of Mudginberri turn-off from Arnhem Highway.

The man was the sole occupant of the vehicle and taken to Jabiru Health Clinic.

Investigations remain ongoing and police have urged anyone with dashcam footage to contact 131 444.

Also on Monday morning a car flipped onto its roof after a single vehicle rollover near Coomalie Creek.

An NT Police spokesman said emergency services responded to a car crash on the Stuart Hwy near the Batchelor turn-off at 6.45am Monday.

The spokesman said traffic diversions were in place and warned motorists in the area to slow down and expect delays.

Originally published as Groote Eylandt mine site goes into emergency lockdown after armed man allegedly threatens staff