Stolen ute cleans up innocent motorist at busy Darwin CBD intersection

A stolen ute was the cause of a crash at a busy Darwin intersection on Sunday morning.

AN ALLEGEDLY stolen ute forced the closure of a busy Darwin city intersection after the driver crashed in to another motorist on Sunday morning.

A quick-thinking civilian who witnessed the messy collision detained the driver of the allegedly stolen ute until police arrived on the scene and arrested the driver.

A Toyota Rav has been left mangled after an allegedly stolen Isuzu ute crashed into it at a bust Darwin CBD intersection. Picture: Floss Adams.

Northern Territory Duty Superintendent Jamie O’Brien said a stolen blue Isuzu ute ran a red light and crashed into a Toyota C-HR at the intersection of Daly and McMinn streets about 8.30am on Sunday.

The driver of the allegedly stolen vehicle did not stop at the scene but eventually came to a halt more than 100m away, leaving a trail of rubber marks pointing to its final destination where it mounted the kerb and landed beside a popular walking path.

NT Police dust for fingerprints of a allegedly stolen Isuzu ute which was crashed at a busy Darwin CBD intersection. Picture: Floss Adams.

Police reported a second occupant of the Isuzu ute had fled on foot and remained on the run.

Investigators spent the morning thoroughly dusting the stolen ute for fingerprints and searched for other identifiable detail and information.

Emergency services attended and transported the driver of the second vehicle to Royal Darwin Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

NT Police investigators work together to uncover identifiable information on the allegedly stolen Isuzu ute. Picture: Floss Adams.

“The same stolen vehicle had been seen in Palmerston about an hour earlier and police had engaged in a short pursuit on Chung Wah Terrace before terminating due to safety concerns,” Superintendent O’Brien said.

“Police in both Darwin and Palmerston were monitoring the road network for the vehicle.”

The intersection reopened about 10am.

Detectives from Strike Force Trident are continuing to investigate the incident.

Every dog has it’s save

UPDATE, MAY SUN 15, 4PM: A DOG has been saved by heroic firefighters after a warehouse fire in Berrimah.

A statement from NT PFES said fire crews were dispatched to the inferno along Dennis Ct, Berrimah, at 10.30am Saturday.

Police and St John NT also attended.

Fire Watch Commander Craig Slack said once officers arrived, they quickly acted.

“On arrival, there was thick black smoke billowing from the building,” Mr Slack said.

“Firefighters forced entry and quickly brought the fire under control, rescuing a dog from the building. Luckily there were no other occupants inside.

“The building sustained moderate damage and investigators are now looking into the cause.”

Power and Water attended to isolate the building’s electricity supply.

Firefighters plucked this pooch from a warehouse fire in Berrimah. Picture: NTPFES

Hiker rescued in Kakadu

A MAN was forced to wait almost 12 hours to be rescued after he fell almost 50m while hiking in Kakadu National Park.

The 20-year-old was conscious but injured in the ravine near Motorcar Falls when he activated an emergency beacon about 5pm Thursday.

Rangers and police located him trapped in a tree in a deep ravine.

Due to the depth of his fall, emergency services were able to communicate with the man but could not reach him and it took another seven hours before specialist equipment arrived.

NT Emergency Service Regional Manager North Mark Cunnington said the man was found in extremely difficult terrain and the rescue was challenging.

A MAN was forced to wait almost 12 hours to be rescued after he fell almost 50m while hiking in Kakadu National Park. Picture: Supplied

“We deployed three staff and 13 volunteers from the Palmerston and Darwin units to undertake a vertical rescue, arriving around midnight with their specialist equipment,” he said. “It took several hours and just after 4am the volunteers were able to successfully extract the victim and carried him to the Yurmikmik carpark to waiting Jabiru Clinic staff. He was then transferred by road to Katherine Hospital.

Emergency services attempt the rescue of a man after he fell almost 50m while hiking in Kakadu National Park. Picture: Supplied

“This rescue shows how critical it is to carry safety equipment when you are out bush. Thanks to the co-ordinated efforts by police, Kakadu National Park Rangers, Jabiru Clinic and our dedicated NTES volunteers, we were able to bring this man to safety.”

Multiple cars damaged after kids throw rocks in Alice Springs

UPDATE, MAY 12 THUR 7AM: REPORTS of damaged vehicles around the Alice Springs CBD area have continued to pile up on NT the police desk as they continue to investigate and review CCTV.

Southern Watch Commander Robert Kent said locations like Traeger Park, Pat Gallagher netball Stadium and other car parks nearby were locations which were hit.

“We’re talking about the generic throw rocks through window damage just for the sake of being damaged,” Cmmr Kent said.

“But we do believe it’s a group of youths and given that it’s a similar pattern to the day before, I suggest it is probably the same youths involved.

“We’re conducting further inquiries today (Thursday), and reviewing CCTV again to see if we can identify some of the youths involved.”

Police urge anyone who has CCTV footage that identifies the offenders involved, contact police on 131 4444 or crime stoppers on 1800 222 000

Teen on the run

UPDATE, MAY 11 WED 7AM: AN 18-year-old man is on the run after escaping police custody in Central Australia on Tuesday afternoon.

Police are asking the public to be on the lookout for 18-year-old Kamal Rex, who escaped from custody in Alice Springs.

Police are asking the public to be on the lookout for 18-year-old Kamal Rex. Picture: Supplied.

He was last seen in the vicinity of the railway yards in Ciccone about 5pm.

Police urge anyone who sees the 18-year-old escapee or knows of his whereabouts is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

More news from the Red Centre, Northern Watch Commander Robert Kent said the town had been having issues with cars being damaged “for the sake of it” in the Alice Springs CBD.

“There’s quite a few cars around town yesterday (Tuesday) that were damaged, for the sake of doing it I think more than any other reason,” Cmmr Kent said.

He said smashed vehicle windows was the type of damage which was most commonly reported on Tuesday.

“I can’t give you the precise number but I know there’s quite a few,” Cmmr Kent said.

“So they’re stationary all of these cars but certainly we’re encouraging anyone with CCTV footage in particular around the Alice Springs CBD, that identifies either the offending or the offenders to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”

Additionally, about 4.30am Wednesday, a home in East Side fell victim to vehicle theft.

“A vehicle was stolen from that (home) and observed in town by police CCTV operators,” Cmmr Kent said.

“That’s still outstanding.”

Elderly man assaulted

UPDATE, APR 9 2PM: AN 85-year-old man has received minor injuries after being assaulted and robbed at a Top End shopping centre.

At 10.40am on Saturday the man was at the entrance to a supermarket on Bradshaw Terrace when he was approached by a man unknown to him.

The offender is then believed to have fled via the north entrance of the shop.

NT Police are calling on anyone with information to come forward.

“This was a cowardly attack on a vulnerable individual and at that time of day there would have been plenty of people around,” Detective senior sergeant Mark Bland said.

EARLIER APR MON 8AM: MULTIPLE crashes, horse injuries, pedestrian and animal collisions were among the scenes Territory paramedics attended over the weekend.

St John NT operations manager Craig Garraway said a motorbike collided with a dog early Monday morning on Vanderlin Dr.

“I know the dog has passed away at the scene,” Mr Garraway told ABC Darwin.

“I’m unsure what’s going on with the motorbike rider at the moment, it’s sort of all happening as we speak.”

Mr Garraway said a pedestrian has only “minor injuries” after they were struck by a car at East Point Reserve on Sunday at 7pm.

“Just on the entry there and only very minor injuries,” he said.

Five or six people were flown to the Royal Darwin Hospital after a crash on the Kakadu Hwy involving two cars.

“A number of fractures to most of those people CareFlight flew out there and brought three people back on their helicopter with numerous fractures as a result of that crash, broken arms, broken legs and so forth,” he said.

“They’re all recovering in the royal down hospital at the moment, but little bit provoked that crash and obviously it took a while for everyone to get out there.”

Additionally, on the Stuart Hwy a 45-year-old woman was hit by a car and sustained non-life threatening injuries on Friday night.

“She was taken to the hospital for treatment – it’s quite difficult and a lot of people are trying to cross the road around that area,” Mr Garraway said.

Lastly, a 16-year-old woman fell from her horse at the Alice Springs Turf Club.

“The horse actually rolled on her there she received a number of injuries and was transported to the Alice Springs Hospital and she’s recovering quite well there,” Mr Garraway said.

Who’s a good boy?

10.30AM FRIDAY: A POLICE dog has helped locate a 17-year-old male who fled from a break in at Palmerston business.

The youth has ben arrested, but another alleged offender remains on the run.

Patrol Dog Drax. Picture: Supplied

The two males were reported entering a commercial premises on Yarrawonga Road around 1am on Friday morning.

Police then saw them fleeing the location into bushland nearby.

Acting Senior Sergeant Riva Zio said the deployment of Patrol Dog Drax showed how important they were in these situations.

“This arrest highlights the incredible asset police dogs are when searching for offenders in difficult terrain.

“You can certainly run from Drax, but you can’t hide from him,” he said.

Emergency workers responding to road train rollover

9AM, FRIDAY: A ROAD train has rolled on the Stuart Highway on a stretch of road 110km south of Alice Springs.

Police say the incident occurred 20km south of Stuarts Well, where the vehicle’s cab and three trailers had overturned.

The condition of the driver or drivers remains unknown.

An all agency response is under way.

Police advised road users to slow down in the area and be aware of emergency workers assisting with the incident.

Thieves’ photo snapped by victim

7AM, FRI MAY 6: A Larapinta resident was able to take photos of two teen thieves before they “did a bolt”, taking with them a watch, cash and a camel pack after smashing a rear window pane during an unlawful entry, police say.

Southern Watch Commander Allan Milner said it was one of several unlawful entries over a 24 hour period in the Alice Springs area.

He said between midday and 12.10pm on Thursday two indigenous teens were confronted by the owner of the Latz Crescent property before fleeing the scene.

“The owner took photographs of the teens inside the property,” Commander Milner said.

Meanwhile, a grey Toyota HiLux single cab utility was recovered hours after it was stolen from a Braitling address on Simounds St, between 6.45pm and 7pm on Thursday.

It was then found just after midnight on Friday at Charles Creek and will be forensically assessed.

Police believe the car was stolen after the offender unlawfully entered the property, after finding a spare house key, and stole a car key.

Cash and a credit card were also stolen from a Tietkens Ave address in Braitling, between 7pm on May 4 and 6.45am on Thursday, gaining access through an unsecured rear door.

Two Braitling addresses were broken into including one on Tietkens Ave. Picture: Google Maps.

Then, alcohol, cash and a motor vehicle key was stolen from an Eastside address in Gosse St, between 10.30am and 11.57am on Thursday, after a rear door was jemmied open.

Commander Milner said residents must secure or hide their keys, wallets and credit cards when stored at home.

“That’s a few breaks done during the day, so they’re changing their MO a little bit,” he said.

“We’re hoping that the cold weather stops them moving around at night.”

St Johns called to Bagot Rd accident

8AM, THURS MAY 5: An accident between two vehicles has occurred on Bagot Rd near Darwin Bunnings this morning.

The collision involving a truck and car has been reported as a minor incident.

Emergency services including NT police, NT fire and rescue service and St Johns Ambulance are currently on the scene.

Minor injuries have been reported.

NT Police and St Johns Ambulance NT paramedics were called to a crash on Bagot Rd, near Totem Rd, on Thursday May 5.

NT Police and St Johns Ambulance NT paramedics were called to a crash on Bagot Rd, near Totem Rd, on Thursday May 5.

Police investigating after woman bashed in home

11AM, WED MAY 4: A MAN allegedly left his partner injured and battered following a domestic violence incident in a Katherine home.

Northern Territory Police arrested a man in relation to an alleged serious domestic violence incident in Katherine on Tuesday.

Police received reports at 11.30pm that a woman was allegedly being assaulted by her 39-year-old male partner at a Katherine home.

It will be alleged the man fled as officers arrived at the home, leaving the injured woman behind.

She was taken to Katherine Base Hospital in a stable condition.

The 39-year-old was arrested a short time later, and is expected to be charged with aggravated assault, armed with an offensive weapon and contravention of a domestic violence order.

Detective Sergeant Jeremy Brunton said an investigation was ongoing, with police speaking with a number of witnesses.

“Domestic violence has no place within our community,” Sgt. Bruniton said.

He urged anyone who was the victim of domestic or family violence to reach out on 131 444, or in an emergency call triple-0.

Police educate drivers after four vehicle crash

7AM, WED MAY 4: MOTORISTS are being urged to be vigilant when on the roads by NT police after a low speed vehicle crash that involved four cars on Tuesday afternoon.

Police assisted a driver in removing their vehicle that suffered a mechanical failure on the Stuart Hwy in the inbound lane at an intersection at Parap after 5:15pm.

Several drivers became distracted while police were on the job resulting in a four vehicle crash.

St John’s Ambulance attended the incident and provided precautionary check-up on an elderly male passenger.

No other persons involved suffered any injuries.

The accident resulted in only minor damage to the vehicles.

Police are educating drivers to stay vigilant and rest when tired as rubber necking and distraction causes many road crashes in the Territory.

NT Police said they want to see all motorists arrive safely at their destination.

Originally published as Stolen ute cleans up innocent motorist at busy Darwin CBD intersection