Man arrested after alleged armed robbery of a Tennant Creek pharmacy

A man who allegedly brandished a gun in a remote drugstore remains in police custody. SEE THE PICS

UPDATE THURS: A MAN who allegedly brandished a shotgun in a remote pharmacy remains in police custody.

NT Police confirmed on Thursday afternoon that no charges had been laid following an alleged armed robbery at Tennant Creek.

“The man remains in police custody and investigations continue,” a police spokeswoman said.

On Wednesday police responded to a report of a 47-year-old man with a firearm in the local pharmacy allegedly threatening staff.

Police alleged a staff member was able to get the gun from the man, with no one harmed during the incident.

The 47-year-old was arrested and taken into custody.

Territory Duty Superintendent Peter Dash said he was thankful no one was harmed during the “fairly traumatic” incident.

“This was a one-off event and we do not expect any repercussions or similar incidents,” Supt Dash said.

Family members and friends turned to social media calling for compassion for the 47-year-old, who they said was unwell.

“That’s my brother and he is very unwell. He isn’t violent,” one woman wrote on Facebook.

INITIAL WED: A MAN who allegedly held up a Tennant Creek pharmacy by threatening staff with a gun before police managed to disarm him on Wednesday has been taken into custody.

Police on scene. Picture: Steve Edgington

Police respond to an alleged aggravated robbery at a Tennant Creek pharmacy where a man allegedly held up the store with a gun. Picture: Steve Edgington

Officers arrested and charged the 47-year-old with armed robbery after being called to reports of an armed offender in the pharmacy about 12.30pm on Wednesday.

Territory Duty Superintendent Peter Dash said no one was hurt and there was no ongoing threat to the community.

A man is put into an ambulance following an alleged armed robbery at a Tennant Creek pharmacy. Picture: Steve Edgington

“The experience itself would have been fairly traumatic to those involved, however we’re thankful no one was physically harmed during this incident,” he said.

“This was a one-off event and we do not expect any repercussions or similar incidents.”

Senior Sergeant Dash said investigators had cordoned off the area as a crime scene and the shop would be closed for the rest of the afternoon.

“We apologise in advance for any inconvenience but thank you for your patience and understanding,” he said.

“Once our investigators and forensic officers have processed the crime scene it will be opened back up to the public.”

Member for Barkly Steve Edgington, who witnessed the incident, said “a staff member had managed to remove the firearm from the man” as police arrived on the scene.

“I’m glad to hear no one was harmed during this traumatic incident,” he said.

“Thank you to our amazing local police who were quickly on the scene supporting staff and protecting our community.”

Police investigating Alice Springs assault that left two men with serious injuries

NT Police are investigating a serious assault that left two people with serious injuries in Alice Springs early on Wednesday morning.

Just before 1.20am police responded to a report of a group of people fighting with sticks outside a home in East Arm.

On arrival police found two males, aged 17 and 18, with significant injuries as a result of the fight.

The pair were taken to the Alice Springs Hospital for treatment.

The 18-year-old is in a serious but stable condition, while the 17-year-old remains in a critical condition.

The area has been cordoned off and declared a crime scene as detectives from the Southern Criminal Investigation Branch carry out investigations.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 or report it anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Home suffers ‘significant damage’ from blaze

A BLAZE has significantly damaged a Braitling home.

Fireys responded to a structure fire on Madigan St about 7.30pm Monday night.

District Fire Officer Stephen Hunter said all residents had escaped the property which was partially engulfed in flames when fire crews arrived.

“Firefighters extinguished the flames and spent several hours securing the scene, as there was significant damage to the building,” he said.

“Luckily nobody was hurt.”

“Investigations are ongoing, and the occupants are assisting police and fire investigators with inquiries.”

A crime scene has been set up at the site, with fire investigators continuing their probe on Tuesday morning.

Gun shop, bakery among targeted break-ins

THREE Alice Springs businesses were broken into overnight in a string of unlawful entries.

A local gun shop, Gun Supplies, was targeted about 7.30pm on Monday night, with $500 and the cash register taken.

Southern Watch Commander Evan Kelly said no firearms were stolen from the shop.

At 2.30am on Tuesday morning a bakery was also broken into.

“The NT Bakery was broken into early this morning and they stole food stuff,” Mr Kelly said.

A Christian Community Centre across town also sustained some damage to the glass front door when it was broken into.

Mr Kelly said early investigations indicated the three instances were not linked.

Originally published as Man arrested after alleged armed robbery of a Tennant Creek pharmacy