Top End police search for missing ute after three vehicles allegedly stolen

Top End police have arrested three people in relation to a series of allegedly stolen cars, with one vehicle still missing.

The latest Top End crime and traffic updates. Picture: Che Chorley

July 27: Police have arrested three people in relation to two allegedly stolen vehicles and are still looking for a third car in the Top End.

Northern Watch Commander Clinton Stewart said police believed the third vehicle was a white Toyota LandCruiser ute.

Sergeant Stewart said the first two vehicles had been recovered about 10.30pm Friday and 2am Saturday, leading to three arrests.

He said the outstanding ute had been travelling “in convoy” with one of the recovered vehicles but had fled the scene when police arrested the driver of another vehicle.

Sergeant Stewart said none of the vehicles had been reported stolen as of 6am Saturday and police believed the owners were not yet aware they were missing.

He said police believed the alleged offenders may have “jimmied the ignition locks” to gain access to the vehicles.

Sergeant Stewart said no charges had been laid as of 6am Saturday and investigations would continue.

Pedestrian in critical condition after ‘running into traffic’

July 25: A young man is in a critical condition after running into traffic on the Stuart Hwy.

The pedestrian was rushed to Royal Darwin Hospital following the incident near the Hidden Valley intersection at 6.30pm on Wednesday.

NT Police Acting Divisional Superintendent Paul Wood said the man alighted a bus and “ran out in front of traffic”.

One car managed to dodge the pedestrian but the vehicle behind tragically struck the man.

“The first vehicle took evasive action and swerved out of the way,” Mr Wood said.

“Vehicle two that was unfortunately behind vehicle one, didn’t have an opportunity to take that evasive action and collided with the pedestrian.

“From this morning’s (Thursday’s) brief he still is in a critical condition, but it doesn’t look like at this point it will be a life lost.”

Mr Wood said the driver stopped to render assistance, and returned negative results to roadside alcohol and drug tests.

Investigations are ongoing and police are urging anyone with information in relation to the incident to contact police on 131 444, quoting P24198520.

Man bashed by multiple women in Karama

July 23: Police are appealing for witnesses after a 63-year-old man was allegedly bashed by a group of women on the street before fleeing for the safety of his Karama home with an armed man on his tail.

About 6.20pm on Monday, police received reports that up to five women had assaulted a 63-year-old man on Sedge Court, Karama.

Police allege the group of women were damaging a vacant property when the senior citizen confronted the group, who turned on the man, throwing items and assaulting him.

A vehicle then arrived on the scene, where another man, believed to be known to the group, exited the vehicle and allegedly threatened the 63-year-old with a blunt weapon.

The 63-year-old retreated into his residence where the armed man allegedly damaged the residence and a nearby vehicle before leaving the scene.

The 63-year-old suffered injuries to his head and body and conveyed himself to hospital for treatment.

Police have taken multiple witness statements and have urged anyone with information to contact 131 444 and quote reference NTP2400071552.

Youths allegedly assault home occupant in string of Katherine break-ins

July 23: NT Police are calling for information following a string of alleged break-ins across Katherine overnight, which included someone being assaulted in their home.

Police responded to reports that a group of four men had allegedly attempted to break into a property on Condon Street about 1am Tuesday.

The youths fled the scene after they were confronted by the occupant.

In a separate incident, about 2.50am, police heard a group of four youths had attempted to unlawfully enter a facility on the Stuart Highway in Katherine East.

Police alleged the group allegedly stole items and caused property damage while inside the facility.

The group is then alleged to have gone to the previously targeted home on Condon Street about 4.05am.

The youths are alleged to have assaulted the occupant in the process of breaking in before fleeing the scene on foot.

Katherine Criminal Investigation Branch and Strike Force Cerberus are investigating the incidents.

Detective Senior Sergeant Ordelman said forensics attended the scene and had collected items for analysis including fingerprint evidence.

“Some of the scenes have had latent fingerprints developed,” he said.

“Although the investigation is at the earlier stages, police have identified persons who may be of interest to the investigation.”

Police urge anyone with information about the incidents to make contact on 131 444, or make anonymous reports through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Arrests made over separate sexual assault, DV offences

Northern Territory Police in Katherine say they are still investigating the alleged sexual assault of a woman by two men on Sunday, after one was arrested in relation to the incident.

Police said the alleged sexual assault occurred “in the vicinity of Katherine South,” at around 2am, Sunday, July 21.

Two men – unknown to the woman – are alleged to have committed the act, according to police, who said they arrested a man in relation.

Police said the woman was conveyed to Katherine District Hospital.

Police said the man will be charged and investigations into the incident remain ongoing.

Anyone with information around on the alleged sexual assault is urged to get in contact with police via 131 444, quoting NTP2400071078.

In a separate, unrelated incident, police said they have charged a 45-year-old man over an alleged domestic violence incident which occurred earlier in July in Katherine.

Police allege that on Tuesday, July 11, a man assaulted his former partner on Railway Terrace in Katherine.

The 36-year-old woman was sent to Katherine hospital on July 16, where she remains in a critical condition, according to police.

The 45-year-old man was arrested on Friday, July 19, in relation to the incident, and charged with recklessly endangering life and intend to cause serious harm – cause any harm.

Police are now appealing for any dashcam or CCTV footage of Railway Terrace, Katherine, between 8.30 and 9.30pm on July 11.

Anyone with more information on the incident is encouraged to contact police on 131 444, quoting reference NTP2400068179.

For those experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, support can be reached on 1800RESPECT (1800737732) or Lifeline 131 114.

Originally published as Top End police search for missing ute after three vehicles allegedly stolen