NT Police investigating pair of indecent assaults on women in Darwin homes in 24 hours

A second woman has allegedly been assaulted in her own home in 24 hours after she woke to find a balaclava-wearing man in her room. READ THE LATEST FROM POLICE.

NT Police say they are searching for a man who allegedly indecently assaulted a woman who woke to his hand across her mouth, the second such incident in 24 hours.

Police allege a man broke into a unit complex in Larrakeyah and allegedly indecently assaulted a woman in her own bed about 10.40pm on Wednesday.

It is alleged the woman woke to find the man’s hand across her mouth, before she pushed him away and called for help.

The man fled the scene.

The woman described the alleged offender as dressed in all black, wearing a full-face balaclava mask.

Police say he was about 190cm tall, slim build, with tanned skin and long eyelashes.

It is further alleged the man had entered a second apartment and stolen multiple personal items.

Police are investigating whether a similar incident in Parap on Tuesday is linked with the Larrakeyah alleged assault on Wednesday.

This is the second similar incident in less than 24 hours, with another woman allegedly indecently assaulted at her own home in Parap on Tuesday evening.

In the Tuesday incident, the woman had been sleeping when she woke to find a naked man allegedly indecently assaulting her.

The man fled the scene and took a camera with him.

He was described as being about aged 20, of a slim build with dark skin and between 180-185cm tall.

NT Police on Thursday said they had not ruled out whether the incidents are linked, although a connection has yet to be identified.

Speaking to media, Detective Senior Sergeant Toby Wilson said police had attended a residence in Ludmilla, where some personal items from the Parap residence were recovered.

Detective Senior Sergeant Toby Wilson.

“This has led us to identify some persons of interest in relation to that matter,” he said.

“We understand that this can be highly alarming for members of the community, and we remind them to be mindful of personal safety practices like keeping doors and windows locked and secure at night and reporting anything suspicious to police.

“We’ll be conducting a range of activities around the city areas out to Parap and continue proactive patrols by general duties as well to provide some reassurance and also to try to identify any persons of interest.

“The Sex Crimes Section are working closely with Strike Force Trident, CCTV operators and other police units and agencies to identify the offenders and bring them before the courts.

Port Darwin MLA and government Minister Robyn Cahill empathised with the women.

“We are taking every step we can to make sure that we keep Territorians safe, especially in their homes. It’s awful to have your home invaded, I’ve personally had that experience.”

Police urge anyone who has information about the incident or CCTV in the area to make contact on 131 444 and quote reference P25157813.

Originally published as NT Police investigating pair of indecent assaults on women in Darwin homes in 24 hours