Police searching for masked axe-wielding Braitling burglar

A masked axe-wielding burglar allegedly threatened a 78yo man before fleeing from a Braitling residence in a terrifying home invasion. Read the details.

The car thieves remain at large. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Welcome to the NT News’ weekly Alice Springs and Central rolling police, crime, traffic, fire and breaking news blog. Keep up with the latest news from Alice Springs right up to the Barkly.

July 14, 11.30am: A masked axe-wielding burglar remains at large after a terrifying break-in in Braitling on Monday morning.

An NT Police spokeswoman said the home invasion occurred on Bee Court just before 2am.

“Around 1.55am this morning, police received reports that an adult male offender unlawfully entered a residence in Bee Court in Braitling,” she said.

“It is alleged the offender was armed with an axe and was wearing a mask and a black hoodie.

“The offender allegedly caused damage to windows and a motor vehicle at the residence before threatening a 78-year-old male victim.

“He subsequently fled the scene, discarding the axe in the backyard which was later recovered by attending police.

“Neither of the two victims home at the time were injured during the incident.

“The offender remains outstanding at this time and investigations are ongoing.”

Police have asked anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage to contact them on 131 444, or to make an anonymous report on Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Teenager arrested in Tennant Creek after allegedly assaulting police officers

July 11, 9.30am: A teenager was arrested in Tennant Creek on Thursday after he allegedly assaulted a police officer.

NT Police allege the 16-year-old boy assaulted police while trying to escape custody.

“Around 3.55pm on Thursday, police were attempting to arrest the offender during which a struggle ensued,” an NT Police spokesman said.

“The male physically assaulted both police members while being taken into custody, before fleeing the scene on foot.

“Neither member suffered significant injury from the assault.

“General duties police responded and located the offender at an address in Tennant Creek.

“At 4.20pm, he was arrested without incident and taken to the Tennant Creek watch house.”

The 16-year-old was charged with two counts of assaulting police, escaping custody and damaging property.

Superintendent Katie Hatzismalis called the alleged assault a “disgrace”.

“Assaulting a frontline worker who is trying to serve and protect their community is disgraceful,” she said.

Break-ins at Araluen and East Side lead to theft of three vehicles

July 10, 6.30am: Three vehicles were stolen after two separate break-ins in Alice Springs overnight, with all offenders still at large.

Northern Watch Commander Muhamad Mohaiyadeen said the first break-in occurred on Giles St in East Side around midnight on Thursday.

At that residence a silver Toyota Corolla was stolen, he said.

The second break-in occurred at a residence on Aldridge St in Araluen around 1.05am where a white Toyota Yaris and a white Toyota TownAce were stolen, he said.

Mr Mohaiyadeen said the Yaris was later recovered in Braitling, but the other two vehicles and the people who took them remain outstanding.

The registration of the TownAce is CD07ZE and the Corolla is CF95VT.

At this stage police do not believe the two burglaries are linked, but investigations are ongoing.

Originally published as Police searching for masked axe-wielding Braitling burglar