Jermaine Austral faces Darwin Local Court after alleged break-in at Johnston home
A famous fugitive has faced court after allegedly giving NT Police the slip twice in a five day period. Read what happened.
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A famous Territory fugitive who allegedly slipped past two police raids while on the run for five days has faced the Darwin Local Court.
Jermaine Shane Austral, 27, was arrested on Friday at a Batchelor home, about 100 kilometres south of Darwin.
He appeared in court Monday morning charged with a string of offences including multiple counts of aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, and recklessly endangering life.
Austral was remanded in custody and will return to court on December 12.
Police allege Austral had been on the run since October 22, when he was alleged to have broken into a property in Johnston with a firearm.
Police launched a military-style raid on a home in Karama later that day, but he was not found.
They again failed to capture him when he slipped a police cordon in Batchelor on Thursday, with the Territory Response Group and serious crime squad members deployed to find him.
Oct 27: Austral arrested
Detectives arrested Jermaine Austral early on Friday at a home in Batchelor without incident, and he is currently in custody at the Palmerston Watch House where he is expected to be charged on Saturday.
Detective Sergeant Michael Ordelman said he commended the work of all officers involved in the operation.
“Members from Territory Response Group, negotiators, the dog operations unit, serious crime squad, Strike Force Trident and general duties worked tirelessly for this result,” he said.
“Police would also like to thank the community for providing vital information in relation to his whereabouts.”
Oct 26: Famous fugitive slips through second police raid
A manhunt for a famous Territory fugitive has failed to find the young man after he slipped two police raids in five days.
Police dogs, serious crime squad members, property offence specialist, and the elite tactical squad the Territory Response Group have all been deployed in the search for 27-year-old Jermaine Shane Austral.
For the second time a major police operation has failed to capture the young man, after he slipped a police cordon in Batchelor on Thursday.
Police have been searching for Mr Austral since Sunday, when the 27-year-old is suspected of having broken into a Johnston property with a firearm.
No injuries were reported and the firearm was not used.
That same day, police launched a military-style raid of a Karama home in search of Mr Austral, but he was not found.
Detective Sergeant Michael Ordelman said a tip-off led police to Katherine, and then 236km north to Batchelor where they found his silver Subaru Forester.
On Thursday multiple specialist police units surrounded a Batchelor home, but failed to find the 27-year-old.
Sergeant Ordelman said his vehicle was located nearby, with evidence suggesting he had fled into bushland.
Patrol Dog Drax searched the area late into Thursday night, however, Mr Austral remains at large.
“We believe Mr Austral is now on foot and most likely somewhere in the greater Batchelor area,” Sergeant Ordelman said.
“Significant resourcing has deployed to locate Mr Austral.
“We would remind the public not to approach Mr Austral and if sighted to immediately contact police.”
Mr Austral famously broke out of Alice Springs jail days before Christmas in 2016, sparking a Central Australian crime spree including a string of violence and property crimes.
He was eventually arrested in Broken Hill after leading New South Wales police on a pursuit, and was extradited to the Territory.
Oct 25: NT Police continue to hunt for Jermaine Austral after break-in at Johnston home
NT Police are continuing the manhunt of a wanted fugitive who escaped arrest during a military-style raid on a Darwin home.
Jermaine Shane Austral escaped capture after he allegedly broke into the property in Johnston with a firearm at 2.10pm Sunday.
No injuries were reported and the firearm was not used.
Police later raided a home in Karama, but three days later are still searching for Mr Austral in relation to the alleged aggravated burglary.
Police have called on the public to help, describing Mr Austral as a man of Aboriginal appearance, 175cm tall with a solid build.
He also has a prominent ‘Sandra’ tattoo on his right jawline.
Police urge the public not to approach Mr Austral, but to immediately contact police on 131 444 and quote reference 23292486 if they spot him.
Mr Austral famously broke out of Alice Springs jail days before Christmas in 2016, sparking a Central Australian crime spree including a string of violence and property crimes.
Oct 23: Search for famous fugitive after military-style raid on Darwin home
A military-style raid on a Darwin home failed to arrest a wanted man, with police turning to the public for help.
Detective Sergeant Michael Ordelman confirmed that police attended a Karama home on Sunday, following an alleged aggravated burglary in Johnston at 2.10pm.
It was alleged a man broke into the property brandishing a firearm, before fleeing the scene shortly after.
No injuries were reported and the firearm was not discharged.
Sergeant Ordelman said the target of their arrest was Jermaine Austral, a 27-year-old man allegedly known to police with outstanding warrants against him.
He said Mr Austral was not located at the home and remains at large.
“Mr Austral is not to be approached and if sighted we would urge the public to immediately contact police,” he said.
Mr Austral famously broke out of Alice Springs jail days before Christmas in 2016, sparking a Central Australian crime spree including a string of violence and property crimes.
He was eventually arrested in Broken Hill after leading New South Wales police on a pursuit, and was extradited to the Territory.
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Originally published as Jermaine Austral faces Darwin Local Court after alleged break-in at Johnston home
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