Maningrida police allegedly bust sly grog run, seizing 28 bottles of booze

Police allegedly busted seven drivers trying to smuggle booze into Maningrida, seizing 28 bottles of booze from a single car.

Police have allegedly busted a sly grog run into a remote community, seizing 28 bottles of booze from a single car.

Northern Watch Commander Sonia Kennon said Maningrida police officers on a rural patrol stopped seven vehicles containing large amounts of alcohol.

Maningrida is in the heart of Arnhem Land, about 500km east of Darwin.

A permit is needed for takeaway alcohol in Meningrida, but alcohol can be consumed at a licensed venue.

Commander Kennon alleged the booze was smuggled and hidden in the vehicles while other passengers were carrying cannabis and kava.

Commander Kennon alleged in one car alone, police found more than 20L of booze smuggled inside, with seven 1L bottles of spirits, 16 smaller 700ml spirits, and five cans of Victoria Bitters, and 500g of kava.

Police handed out nine infringement notices, and six notices to appear.

“The work of the remote police members is a positive action which disrupts the movement of alcohol and drugs throughout the communities,” Ms Kennon said.

“(It) assists with reducing health, social and economic problems associated with the consumption of alcohol and drugs.”

Group of thieves ransack Adelaide River business three times in four hours

Using a star picket and a claw hammer to leverage their way in, a group of thieves ransacked an Adelaide River business three times over four hours on Friday morning.

Northern Watch Commander Sonia Kennon said the two household tools were left inside the front door.

The business entrance was damaged in the brazen theft.

and clear damage marked the entrance of the premises.

“The offenders have stolen a quantity of alcohol on each occasion before being interrupted by the audible alarm,” Commander Kennon said.

The initial break-in occurred just after midnight and the last time at 4.30am, with the second raid in-between.

Commander Kennon said police were working with the business owner on Friday as part of ongoing investigations.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

In an unrelated incident, police are searching for the driver of a purple Ford XR6 seen hooning and doing burnouts in Rapid Creek about midnight.

Commander Kennon said the XR6 crashed into a ute on Casuarina Dr, causing damage to the vehicle’s bumper and tyres.

“The offending vehicle is described as a purple Ford XR6 which doesn’t have a bumper and tyre issues,” she said.

“The owner of the ute was unable to be contacted and a Police Aware sticker has been left on the vehicle.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or knows of a purple Ford XR6 to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or police on 131 444.

Quote reference number 10118176.

Teen allegedly assaults staff

A teen allegedly assaulted a Top End shopping centre management staff member while being detained for causing a “large” public disturbance with other young people.

Northern Watch Commander Sonia Kennon said the 16-year-old boy verbally abused police in front of members of the public and their children at Casuarina shopping centre at 4.30pm on Wednesday.

“The youth attempted to escape from police prior to being taken into custody but was apprehended and conveyed out of the shopping centre,” Commander Kennon said.

Initial reports to police said the boy was allegedly armed with a knife but no weapon was found.

The 16-year-old has been charged over the alleged assault and disorderly behaviour in a public place.

His bail was refused and he will appear in Darwin Local Court on Thursday.

Originally published as Maningrida police allegedly bust sly grog run, seizing 28 bottles of booze