Fake money, containing some famous faces, on the loose in Alice Springs

At first glance they look real, but these face dollars feature Steve Irwin and Alf from Home & Away. Thieves have nabbed them and businesses are warned to be wary of shoppers trying to use them.

Business owners are urged to be on the lookout after a set of fake bills, with some famous faces, were stolen early this week.

A number of unknown offenders entered a premises on Wilkinson St in Alice Springs overnight on Monday.

They stole a quantity of fake money used as props for film and TV production.

The money can be identified by some differences between the fake bills and real currency.

Sir John Monash and Dame Nellie Melba have been replaced with Steve Irwin and Alf from Home & Away.

Steve Irwin used on fake $100 bills. Picture: NTPFES

Alf from Home and Away used on fake $100 bills. Picture: NTPFES

A mining haul truck has replaced the Australian Masked Owl and Native Wattle.

Shine of Remembrance is now John Farnham and the word Australia has been shortened to Straylia.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Robert Kent said investigators were unsure how much of the fake money had been stolen.

“At this stage investigators are unsure of how much fake money was stolen but it may include $10, $20, $50 and $100 dollar bills,” Senior Sergeant Kent said.

“Police would suggest maybe taking a quick glance at any bills received for the next few weeks to make sure you’re getting the real thing.

“Anyone with information about the unlawful entry is urged to contact 131 444 and quote 10154370.”

Nine litres of illegal booze found in restricted area

More than nine litres of booze have been seized in an Alcohol Restricted zone following a routine police search.

At 4.45pm on Tuesday, police stopped a Ford Fiesta Hatchback containing three passengers.

The group was travelling along the Tanami Highway within an Alcohol Restricted Area.

Police searched the vehicle and found nine litres of spirts and a case of beer, which they seized.

A 38-year-old man and a 46-year-old woman will be called to appear in Darwin Local Court both charged with bringing, possessing and supplying liquor into a restricted area.

Acting Superintendent Daniel Bell said bringing alcohol into communities was a serious offence.

“Alcohol fuelled violence and harm has a staggering effect on our most vulnerable communities,” Superintendent Bell said.

“Alcohol Restricted Areas are in place to protect those communities by helping to ensure its residents have a safe place to live without the impact of alcohol.

“To bring alcohol, with the intent to supply at a highly inflated price, is a serious offence with far reaching consequences.”

Anyone with information on illegal substances in communities is urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Brazen thieves target sleeping tourists in hotel break-ins

Tourists are among the latest victims of Alice Springs crime after hotels were targeted in a series of alleged break-ins over the weekend.

Police were called to a hotel in East Side, just outside of the CBD, early Sunday morning after the guests of two rooms woke to find their belongings missing.

Acting Senior Sergeant Southern Watch Commander Tim Healey said the rooms were unlawfully entered sometime between midnight and 8am.

“People have gone in and stolen handbags and purses,” Commander Healey said.

“Entry was forced using an unknown tool.”

Then on Sunday afternoon, police were called to another hotel on Barrett Drive on reports of three unoccupied rooms being targeted by thieves.

“Between 4pm and 6pm on Sunday, entry was gained into the bottom level rooms through unlocked balcony doors,” Commander Healey said.

“People have gone in and gone through the guests’ bags.

Tourism Central Australia has recently called on the NT government to take immediate action on what its members describe as a “crime crisis”.

“The bags were found nearby so it looks like they dumped them and ran.

“Nothing was stolen besides a set of car keys for a vehicle, which fortunately was in Melbourne.

“It’s a reminder to everyone that even though you’re on holidays, you should maintain vigilance and secure your rooms and belongings.

“Getting something stolen is a quick way to ruin your holiday.”

NT Police’s Strike Force Viper is reviewing CCTV, while no one has been taken into custody yet.

Police are also seeking witnesses to an aggravated robbery and assault in Alice Springs.

Shortly after 1am on Saturday, four adults were walking along Todd Street when they where approached by a group of youths.

Police say the youths assaulted the adults, while one of the alleged offenders made threats with an edged weapon in a bid to steal belongings.

The youths then fled the scene.

Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident to contact 131 444, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Please quote reference number 10151567.

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Originally published as Fake money, containing some famous faces, on the loose in Alice Springs