Ray’s Cafe and Six Tanks brewery targeted in spate of alleged break-ins

A string of alleged break-ins over two consecutive nights has hit some of Darwin’s most popular hangouts. Here’s why the venues are at a breaking point.

Two popular CBD venues are picking up the pieces once again after back-to-back break-ins.

Ray’s Cafe on Smith St and Six Tanks Brew Pub, on Mitchell St, both allege they have been hit twice in two days by a group of offenders seeking alcohol.

The cafe only received its alcohol licence earlier this year and has recently opened a new business, Darlings Pasta Club, in the same building.

The restaurant took to social media in exasperation following the second alleged unlawful entry early Tuesday morning.

Ray's Cafe and Darlings Pasta Club on Smith St was targeted twice in two days during a string of alleged CBD break-ins. Picture: Annabel Bowles

“So sick and tired of this,” a Darlings Pasta Club spokeswoman said.

“On the back of our worst break-in ever, we wake to the news that it had happened again.

“(They) are relentless and will not pay for what they do. There is no consequence.

“Meanwhile, we will fork out the money to fix what was broken and replace what was stolen – with minimal compensation.

“All we are told is ‘maybe you need to add more fences’ or put shutters on doors.

“It seems like whilst they won’t go to prison, we have to build one and lock ourselves in.”

NT Police are investigating reports of an unlawful entry at Ray's Cafe, Smith St.

Police have charged two men, aged 42 and 38, and a 27-year-old woman with property offences including aggravated enter building, stealing and damage to property in relation to the alleged unlawful entry on Monday morning.

In an unrelated incident, Six Tanks Brew Pub staff also said their business was broken into Monday morning, with the same group attempting to re-enter the following night.

It marked the fourth time this year for the CBD brewery.

Police said they are still investigating an alleged unlawful entry on Mitchell St on Monday.

Six Tanks Brew Pub was also targeted two nights in a row as part of a string of alleged CBD break-ins. Picture: Annabel Bowles

Darlings Pasta Club said the building has been broken into five times this year.

“We don’t even qualify for the small assistance Victims of Crime offer as we have now reached our quota of break-ins,” the Darlings Pasta Club spokeswoman said.

“No wonder people are sick of doing business in this town.

“What’s the point in having a beautiful space if it has to be cage doors and might get trashed every other week.”

In an email shared publicly by Darlings Pasta Club, a Victim of Crime staffer said businesses could only seek three claims for assistance every 12 months.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the organisation’s funding was increased from $1.25m to $3.25m in October.

Victims of Crime is an NT government-funded organisation. Picture: Supplied

“We have also ramped up the Biz Secure program in the lead up to Christmas and continue the reduced co-contribution amounts for businesses wanting to make a range of permanent security improvements to their premises,” Ms Fyles said.

“NT businesses can currently access up to $15,000 with a reduced co-contribution of 25 per cent.

“We are listening to victims and the community and making improvements right across the Territory – because we know Territorians want to see action.”

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Originally published as Ray’s Cafe and Six Tanks brewery targeted in spate of alleged break-ins