Police have laid charges over a fatal Marrara hit and run

Charges have been laid over a hit and run that killed a 27-year-old man in Marrara last month. 

A 39-YEAR-OLD man has been charged over the fatal hit and run of a husband and father in Marrara. 

The 27-year-old man was killed when he was struck by a vehicle on Batten Road, Marrara on December 19, 2021.

Senior Sergeant Corey Borton from the Major Crash Investigations Unit said his team had worked relentlessly on this investigation to identify an alleged suspect.

“Yesterday we seized a vehicle and we have been interviewing the driver today,” he said.

“If you are involved in a crash, stop immediately, render assistance and call police. Running is futile. I’d like to thank the public for providing information, and the media for their support in appealing for witnesses and sensitive reporting, which was a key factor leading to today’s events.”

The 39-year-old man has been charged with hit and run causing death. 

He has been bailed to appear in Darwin Local Court on March 2, 2021.

Police release CCTV

A YOUNG widow and her two children are facing a sobre Christmas without any answers following a horrific midnight hit and run in Darwin.

NT Police have released fresh CCTV footage in relation to the fatal hit and run at Marrara which claimed a 27-year-old father’s life.

A 27-year-old man was found unconscious on Batten Rd, Marrara at 12.30am on Sunday morning.
Paramedics attempted CPR but were unable to revive him.

The newly released security footage shows a car driving along Batten Rd at 12.17am on Sunday morning.

Detective Senior Sergeant Corey Borton called on anyone who recognised the vehicle to contact police.

“Detectives are urging the occupants of the vehicle to make contact on 131 444,” Sgt Borton said.

“We have a young widow and two little kids who don’t have their dad this Christmas or ever again, and somebody knows what happened.

“Please help us bring this family some closure.”

Sgt Borton called for anyone who recognised the vehicle or who had other relevant information to contact police.

Police allegedly pelted with glass in break-in

POLICE allege would-be thieves threw glass bottles at officers after they interrupted a break-in at an Alice Springs home.

Southern Watch Commander Vicki Koum said police were called to an unoccupied Gillen home, at 2am on Thursday.

Cmdr Koum said as they approached the house officers saw people moving in the darkness.

The pair allegedly threw glass at police before running off.

Cmdr Koum said police arrested a 31-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy.

She said the pair were in custody, with changes still to be formalised.

Tyre spikes stop stolen car in trespassing spree

ALICE Springs police recovered a stolen vehicle using a line of tyre spikes, bringing to an end an overnight trespassing spree.

Southern watch commander Danny Bell said there were multiple sightings of a stolen vehicle taken from an Eastside property just before midnight.

Cmdr Bell said an unknown group broke into the McMinn St property to steal the keys before driving off in a Land Rover Discovery.

He said the stolen car was spotted multiple times over the next few hours.

Cmdr Bell said the car reported in the area as a group jumped fences, climbed under verandas and shined torches into homes around Braitling.

He said four police units cordoned off the stolen vehicle’s escape routes, with tyre spikes bringing it to a stop at Northside, at 2.40am.

Cmdr Bell said approximately three “very fast little people” were spotted fleeing from the vehicle.

He said no arrests were made, and police would be conducting a forensic examination on the stolen car.

Cmdr Bell said the car would be returned to its owner later today.

Marrara hit and run investigation continues

UPDATE: Police have collected a number of items from the scene of a fatal hit and run at Marrara on the weekend, hoping it will lead to catching the driver involved.

A 27-year-old man was found unconscious on Batten Road, Marrara at 12.30am on Sunday morning.
Paramedics attempted CPR but were unable to revive him.

Acting Detective Senior Seargant Corey Borton said the Major Crash Detectives were investigating the incident.

“We’ve collected a number of items that will be forensically tested and CCTV from the area is being collected today with a view of identifying the vehicle involved in the incident,” he said.

It is believed the man was walking home to his place of residence when he was hit.

Srg Borton also said there were at least three social functions in the area the night the incident occurred.

He pleaded for anyone with information, or the driver involved, to come forward.

“If you’re the driver of the vehicle, or you’re aware of who the driver of the vehicle was, I strongly encourage you to come forward at your earliest opportunity and present yourself to police,” he said.

“It’s really only a matter of time before we catch up with you.”

ALLEGED BREAK-IN AND ASSAULT

A commercial property was robbed and the owner allegedly assaulted and threatened in Adelaide River in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The owner was alerted to the incident when multiple alarms were set off.

They gave chase for a short time before returning the property.

The offenders then returned and caused significant damage and stole a quantity of alcohol.

Detectives from Strike Force Trident are calling for information.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Bland said: “Investigations are ongoing and police would like to hear from anyone with dash-cam footage or other information that will assist to identify and locate the offenders.”

HOWARD SPRINGS RUNAWAYS CAUGHT

TWO 16-year-olds who fled Howard Springs yesterday afternoon have been caught by police.

The young women from Katherine left the quarantine centre at about 3.30pm after returning negative test results on their most recent Covid test.

Police deployed general duties officers, a drone, the dog operations unit and CCTV operators to try and find and return the girls to quarantine.

Police apprehended the girls in Bakewell around 7pm and they were returned to the centre. Both were said to be nearing the end of their quarantine period.

Incident controller Acting Commander Virginia Read said the girls did not want to be found prior to the capture.

“The girls were actively avoiding police, however we were able to locate them through the great work by several different units and the CCTV operators,” she said.

“Their Covid-19 tests have all been negative and while we believe they were not infectious, their actions clearly contravened the chief health officer’s directions.”

MAN DEAD AFTER MARRARA HIT AND RUN

A man has been killed after a hit and run overnight.

A 27-year-old man was found on Batten Road in Marrara at about 12.45am last night.

Police and St John NT ambulance attended the scene.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Corey Borton said Major Crash Unit was investigating the incident.

“The man’s injuries appear consistent with having been struck by a vehicle. It is a dark road and it is possible the driver is not aware they hit a person.

“We are asking anyone who may have been in the area last night or has information to contact police,” he said.

NEIGHBOUR INTERRUPTS ALLEGED ASSAULT

NT Police are investigating an alleged assault in Coconut Grove about 3am on Saturday.

A police report said a resident in a unit complex in Litchfield Ct was woken by a woman’s screams.

The resident went outside and interrupted the incident. The offender ran off, leaving behind a distressed young woman who alleged she had been assaulted by a man not known to her.

Police have been investigating the incident and are reviewing CCTV footage from the area.

Anyone who witnessed this incident or has information, including CCTV or dash-cam footage is asked to contact Police.

Please call 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, and quote reference 9877757.

EARLIER SATURDAY: A good Samaritan was allegedly seriously assaulted after trying to intervene in an confrontation between two men and a woman at The Gap in Alice Springs.

NT Police is calling for witnesses to the assault on Gap Rd between Speet St and Allchurch St about 9pm on Friday.

“As a result of his intervention, the good Samaritan was seriously assaulted,” a statement said.

“A second passer-by intervened and the offenders ran away.”

The assault victim went to Alice Springs Hospital.

Police urge the woman who was being confronted to make herself known to police, and request anyone with relevant information including dash-cam footage to come forward.

Please contact 131444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and quote reference 9877466.

PROPERTIES HIT IN STRING OF CRIMES

Fireworks, iPads and a ute were among the items which were stolen across five properties after a string of crime hit Alice Springs over a span of 24-hours.

NT Police Senior Sergeant Alan Milner said a home on Giles St in Eastside had car keys, phone and wallet stolen between December 16 at 11pm and December 17 at 8am.

Sgt Milner said the thieves damaged a rear door of the house to enter, leaving with the owners white Toyota single cab ute.

“The matter is still outstanding,” Sgt Milner said.

He said the Alice Springs Turf Club was also hit after thieves smashed a glass pane to enter the club and stole an unknown amount of alcohol on the morning of December 17.

“We don’t know the exact quantity or price – we’re waiting on forensic results,” he said.

Sgt Milner said windows to a home were smashed on Kurrajong Dr in Eastside before midday on December 17.

“The point of entry was damage to a rear office window and stolen was an iPad only, which has not been returned” he said.

“Police are awaiting forensic results.”

The final break-in for the string of Alice Springs crime was a home on The Fairway in Desert Springs.

Sgt Millner said the home’s glass louvres were smashed so thieves could gain access to a study in the house.

“Stolen was approximately $35 and fireworks. Forensics have been requested,” he said.

In the Top End, three people were taken to Royal Darwin Hospital after a single vehicle crash on the Stuart Hwy.

NT Police Senior Sergeant Kaye Pemberton said the ute rolled just north of the Batchelor turn-off on the Hwy about 11.30pm on Friday.

Sgt Pemberton said the three passengers were “conveyed to the RDH in a stable condition for treatment, one being listed as serious with a significant fracture to a leg”.

“(The leg injury) was sustained as a result of being thrown from the vehicle.”

“Police would appreciate people taking a bit more care on the roads.”

The matter remains under investigation.

UPDATED FRIDAY MORNING: IT was another busy 24 hours for Alice Springs police with four vehicles stolen from across the region, while two previously stolen cars remain missing.

The first car, a Nissan Patrol Hardtop was stolen from a home on Cycad Pl in the suburb of Sadadeen.

The vehicle was stolen between 6.40am and 8.30pm on Thursday and remains missing.

Another vehicle, a Silver Holden Commodore HSV Sedan was reported as stolen from the Supercheap Auto carpark between 3.30pm and 6pm on Thursday.

A third, a blue Holden Commodore HSV Sport Sedan was taken from the front of Smart Off-Road Mechanical in Ciccone between 8.30am on Wednesday and 9.30am on Thursday.

The final reported stolen vehicle was a White Mazda Goods Van stolen from the front of Goyder St between 6pm on Wednesday and 6.30am on Thursday.

Two vehicles stolen on Wednesday, a Toyota RAV4 and a Ford Courier Utility, were spotted driving around in the early hours with police hoping to close in and make a recovery soon.

There was also a break-in in Alice Springs overnight at a home on Gall St in Eastside between 8.15am and 12 noon on Thursday.

Offenders gained access to the home through an unsecured bathroom window and stole a key fob for a car, a piggybank containing $200 and a large amount of separate cash.

ALLEGED SECONDARY SUPPLY

WADEYE Police have busted a number of locations in Peppimenarti who were allegedly selling alcohol for extortionate prices.

In a statement on Thursday afternoon, NT Police said a 52-year-old man had been arrested in relation to the alleged secondary supply of alcohol in the remote community.

Acting Commander Kirk Pennuto said the arrest came after a “protracted and complex investigation”.

“(The investigation) culminated in the lawful search of a residence during which a substantial sum of cash and a large quantity of liquor – mostly spirits in 750ml and 1L bottles – was located, “ Comm. Pennuto said.

“Police believe this liquor was destined for sale in remote Alcohol Protected Areas.”

The man faced Darwin Local Court on Thursday, charged with unauthorised sale of liquor, supply liquor protected area, and possess liquor intent to supply alcohol in protected area.

He will again face Darwin Local Court via videolink on Friday.

“Police will continue to target those who seek to profit from the illegal supply of alcohol to vulnerable communities. Their activities contribute to anti-social behaviour, violence and poverty. This is not acceptable and we will come after you and hold you to account,” Comm. Pennuto said.

ANOTHER SLEW OF BREAK-INS

HYDROCHLORIC acid and two vehicles among items stolen as Alice Springs hit by another slew of break-ins.

The first incident occurred at a home on Lackman Tce in Braitling between 2am and 3am on Thursday morning.

The offenders broke through an unsecured lounge room window stealing a wallet containing a large wad of cash, car keys and a white Toyota Landcruiser Sahara which remains stolen.

Another theft occurred at the Jay Jays store at the Yeperenye Shopping Centre between 6.19am and 9.43am on Wednesday morning.

Entry into the store was gained through a roller shutter that had been damaged in a previous job from the day before.

Assorted clothing worth about $72 was stolen and has since been recovered with police now waiting on forensic results.

The Pool and Spa Doctor on Garn Rd in Ciccone was broken into between 5.30pm on December 14 and 7am on December 15.

Offenders broke in through a damaged front window with between 10 and 12 five litre bottles of hydrochloric acid stolen.

Another home was broken into on Burke St in East Side between 1.30am and 2.30am on Thursday morning with the point of entry being an unsecured rear door.

Stolen was a wallet, car keys and a red Toyota RAV4 with forensic services also requested.

However, there was some positive news with a stolen silver Ford Courier Utility recovered in a public carpark on Bloomfield St after being stolen from the Gap View Hotel on Wednesday morning.

19-year old arrested for domestic violence assaults

NT Police have arrested a man in relation to a string of assaults in Palmerston earlier this month.

It is alleged the 19-year-old man assaulted two teenage girl, including his partner, with a weapon on December 4.

The attack took place on the corner of Packard Ave and Redmond Crescent, Durack.

The man will front Darwin Local Court tomorrow, charged with five counts of aggravated assault, two counts of damage to property, being armed in a public place, aggravated unlawful entry, robbery, distributing child abuse material and attempted unlawful entry.

Acting Sergeant Jacqui Lynden is asking for anyone with information to come forward.

“This kind of behaviour is abhorrent. Investigations are ongoing into the incidents. We believe there may have been pedestrians in the area on 4 December,” she said.

“We urge anyone from these particular areas who may have witnessed the incidents, or anyone with CCTV or dash-cam footage, to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference number 9871551. Anyone aware of or experiencing domestic and family violence is encouraged to reach out for help.”

ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGES LAID AS COPS PROBE DRUG CONNECTION

UPDATE TUESDAY EVENING: NT police have charged a man with two counts of attempted murder following an alleged violent, “unprovoked” stabbing in Muirhead on Sunday afternoon.

The man was also charged with two counts of acts intended to cause serious harm, driving a vehicle in a dangerous manner in pursuit, driving disqualified, and driving unregistered and uninsured.

An NT Police spokesman said more charges may still be laid.

The man was remanded in custody to appear in Darwin Local Court on Wednesday.

UPDATE TUESDAY: POLICE now expect to charge a man with two counts of attempted murder following an alleged violent, “unprovoked” stabbing in Muirhead on Sunday afternoon.

Assistant Commissioner Michael White said police arrested the 28-year-old at a residence in Alawa on Monday night after he fled the scene where he allegedly stabbed his two housemates “a number of times”.

Mr White said while any possible motive for the stabbing remained unclear, the attack appeared to be “completely unprovoked”.

“The victims of this crime are certainly innocent parties in this and they had no engagement with the (alleged) offender prior to that attack,” he said.

“The victims were very fortunate that they weren’t killed.”

Mr White said police were now investigating a possible drug operation inside the Muirhead home the man shared with his alleged victims, with further charges likely to be laid.

“A number of items were identified and seized during the course of the examination of the crime scene and it’s likely that the (alleged) offender will be subject to further charges in relation to things that we found at the premises,” he said.

The 28-year-old was arrested after the Territory Response Group swooped on a home in Alawa the following evening, where Mr White said the residents were known to him but “didn’t want him at the premises”.

“Police attended the (Muirhead) residence and the (alleged) offender ended up in a pursuit with police across the northern suburbs before police had to stop the pursuit,” he said.

“We were able to identify a residence in Alawa where the (alleged) offender was found (on Monday) afternoon or early evening and police, as a result of an operation there, apprehended him safely from that residence.

“Police formed a view that he was a high-risk (alleged) offender and we needed to ensure the safety of the public by ensuring we had the most trained, experienced people to apprehend him safely and to protect the community.”

Mr White said the man would most likely face court on Wednesday morning and police would “certainly be strenuously challenging bail”.

“He will be charged with two counts of attempted murder with two counts of causing serious harm and a number of other traffic offences in relation to the pursuit, post the incident,” he said.

The two victims have since been discharged from hospital but Mr White said they would require “ongoing medical treatment” for their injuries.

Mr White said whether the man was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the attack was “a consideration” for police.

EARLIER: NT Police have arrested a man in Alawa on Monday night who allegedly assaulted two people with an edged weapon inside their residence.

NT Police believed this man may be able to assist with their inquiries after a double stabbing in Muirhead. Picture: NTPFES

Both victims were conveyed to hospital with serious injuries while the alleged offender fled the scene, according to police.

The man, who was the subject of an arrest operation, was taken into custody without incident around 8pm.

A police spokesman said he would be interviewed on Monday night and they expect to lay charges on Tuesday.

Pair stabbed

TWO people have been stabbed while in their home in Muirhead.

Police are calling for information after the aggravated assault of two people in their home on Sunday.

About 4.50pm, police received reports that a man had assaulted two people with an edged weapon.

Both victims were conveyed to hospital with serious injuries while the alleged offender fled the scene.

Police have released an image of a man they believe can assist with their inquiries.

He is described as caucasian, 28 years of age, 180cm tall with distinctive neck tattoos.

Police are urging the public not to approach the man and if you have information to make contact on 131 444.

You can make an anonymous report through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Please quote reference 9872707.

Child assaulted

A child has been indecently assaulted in a popular Top End suburb.

NT Police say they are investigating an assault on a child in Zuccoli on Sunday.

Police received a report that a child under the age of 16 years had been indecently assaulted at a residential property in Zuccoli.

The alleged offender is known to the victim and police do not believe there is any risk to the wider community.

No charges have been laid as yet, and charges are not expected to be laid on Monday.

Police said investigations into the incident were ongoing and in the interest of the victim’s privacy no further information would be provided.

Drowned man found

NT Police and Emergency Services have recovered the body of a man two days after he disappeared while swimming at a waterhole west of Alice Springs.

The 36-year-old man had gone swimming with a group of friends at Fish Hole water hole in the Jay Creek area, 30km west of Alice Springs on Saturday afternoon.

The group of friends reported him missing when he failed to reappear and they noticed his belongings remained at the side of the waterhole.

An extensive search was launched by police and emergency services with foot patrols, drone and a boat equipped with sonar capability deployed to the area, but they did not locate the man before last light on Saturday.

Water hole in West MacDonnell National Park.

Search and rescue operations continued throughout all of Sunday and again at first light on Monday before police received information the man’s body had been sighted at the location.

Police and Emergency Service members recovered the man’s body from the water hole earlier this morning.

The man’s death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Originally published as Police have laid charges over a fatal Marrara hit and run