Crocodylus Park: Jeremy Peckham, 19, charged with interfering with young crocodile

A young man charged with breaking into an NT wildlife park and chasing a crocodile has made a bid for bail. Find out what happened in court.

A man has been charged after breaking into Crocodylus Park and harassing a crocodile on March 12, 2025.

NT Police have charged a 19-year-old man after he allegedly broke into Crocodylus Park and interfered with a baby crocodile.

Jeremy Peckham is alleged to have broke into the popular wildlife park before midnight on March 12, 2025, and allegedly forced entry into multiple buildings.

While inside police claim he took a baby crocodile from its enclosure and allegedly carried it around by the neck, and took selfies with it.

CCTV footage shows the man carrying the baby crocodile around the workshop, stopping multiple times to take pictures with the croc in hand.

The footage also shows him placing the crocodile on the ground and allegedly chasing it, while seemingly recording on his phone.

A man has been charged after breaking into Crocodylus Park on March 12, 2025.

Police allege he later stole a Holden Rodeo Utility, which he used to ram through multiple gates.

A group of ducks was also allegedly mown down by the stolen vehicle driven by Mr Peckham.

The vehicle was later found burnt out at Casuarina Beach.

NT Police said Strike Force Trident and Dog Operations Unit members tracked down Mr Peckham at a home in Malak about 2.15pm on Tuesday, where they arrested him.

The burnt out HiLux stolen from Crocodylus Park on March 12 was found at Casuarina. Picture: Emily Broomham.

On Wednesday afternoon, Mr Peckham appeared in the dock at Darwin Local Court charged with burglary, four counts of damage to property, two counts of trespass - entering without authority and a count of theft.

He was further charged with a count of take/interfere with protected wildlife, as well as learner driver - no person in front seat, drive without L plates when required, and driving, using/riding motor vehicle without consent.

The court heard Mr Peckham will contest the allegations.

Mr Peckham’s lawyer requested her client be granted bail, submitting Mr Peckham was an “at-risk” individual due to ongoing mental health issues.

The court heard Mr Peckham was willing to abide by bail conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device and adhering to a curfew order.

The prosecution opposed bail and said they were concerned by the severity of the allegations.

“It is quite serious offending,” the prosecutor said.

Judge Tanya Fong Lim noted the matter was a “relatively strong” crown case but ordered a bail assessment report be prepared for review.

Mr Peckham will next face court on Friday, March 21.

Originally published as Crocodylus Park: Jeremy Peckham, 19, charged with interfering with young crocodile