Police officers bitten in Larapinta, road police issue court notices for speeding
A man has been ordered to appear in court after cops caught him allegedly driving 50km/h faster than the speed limit | Two NT Police officers were bitten by a dog during an attempted arrest. AND MORE CRIME NEWS.
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September 6, 4pm: NT Police have issued two people with court summons in relation to separate Red Centre driving offences, including an incident where a driver was allegedly 50km over the speed limit.
Members from the Southern Road Policing Division detected a car travelling 182km in a 130km zone north of Alice Springs about 9.50am on Thursday.
The 48-year-old male driver allegedly returned a positive breath test.
He was issued a notice to appear for the driving offences including driving at a dangerous speed and driving with a medium range alcohol concentration.
He will appear in Alice Springs Local Court at a later date.
In a separate incident, during a traffic stop police identified a learner driver without a licenced passenger.
Police alleged he was also driving in an unregistered, unsafe vehicle while travelling south of Tennant Creek.
The driver was issued with a notice to appear for driving unlicensed, driving unregistered, driving uninsured and unsafe motor vehicle to appear in Ali Curung Local Court later this year.
Sergeant Conan Robertson condemned their actions considering the lofty road toll of 47 lives lost on Territory roads so far in 2024.
“The Northern Territory has suffered 47 lives lost on roads this year, this kind of stupidity is just inexplicable,” he said.
“Police are out patrolling the remote roads and highways, we will be checking speeds and stopping cars to challenge bad behaviours.
“We urge motorists to ensure your vehicle is roadworthy before travelling on remote highways.
“If something breaks it could cause an accident that kills you or someone else on the road.
“Remember, we can be anywhere, anytime.”
Police: Officers bitten by dog, offender escapes
September 6, 2pm: Two Northern Territory police officers have been “bitten by a dog” in an Alice Springs suburb trying to arrest a man who broke free from custody.
Police said the officers were bitten in Larapinta, west of Alice Springs, on Thursday afternoon, as they attempted to arrest a 28-year-old man who “was subject to a domestic violence order”.
Officers were called to the suburb at 5.30pm, where a 44-year-old woman – a protected person on the domestic violence order – was also identified.
When police attempted to arrest the man he “resisted arrest and broke free of police custody, fleeing the area by jumping over a neighbouring fence”.
“Police members followed the man, but ceased their pursuit after two members were bitten by a dog in the neighbouring yard,” police said in a statement.
Both police officers were injured and required medical care, with one officer suffering “a serious injury to his finger”, which he was sent to hospital for.
The other officer had a hand injury which required medical attention.
Police said the man is still on the loose, and are urging anyone with information to get in contact with them on 131 444, quoting reference NTP2400088304.
Support is available for anyone experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, such as 1800RESPECT (1800737732) or Lifeline 131 114.
Alice Springs police arrest six kids after alleged aircraft hangar break in
September 6, 8am: Six children have been arrested after they allegedly triggered an alarm inside an Alice Springs aircraft hangar.
Southern Watch Commander Deanne Ward on Friday morning told this masthead the empty maintenance hangar was a short distance from the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Sergeant Ward said police responded to the alarm quickly.
She said the swift response prevented the group from causing much damage to the hangar.
In a separate incident, Sergeant Ward said an orange Holden Trax was stolen from the Gap on Thursday evening.
She said the vehicle’s registration was CB85LC and was seen driving around early on Friday morning.
She urged anyone with information relating to the missing vehicle to contact police on 131 444.
Pair arrested after separate DV incidents
September 5: Two people have been arrested in relation to separate domestic violence incidents in the Alice Springs CBD.
Southern Watch Commander Deanne Ward said a 19-year-old man was arrested about 1am Thursday after he allegedly assaulted a 15-year-old female.
Sergeant Ward said the man would later be charged with aggravated assault and breach of bail.
She said he would also be issued with a domestic violence order.
Sergeant Ward said police in a separate incident also arrested a 19-year-old woman after she allegedly punched her 22-year-old male partner about 2.30am.
She said the woman’s charges had yet to be determined.
Sergeant Ward said both victims were in the hospital after the alleged attacks, but neither was in a serious condition.
Cop car windows smashed as multiple cars stolen in one night
September 4, 2pm: Police remain on the hunt for a stolen vehicle and the alleged occupants who they say tried to collide with, and later smashed the windows of a police vehicle.
NT Police said three vehicles were stolen from Alice Springs on Wednesday with two now recovered and one – a grey Toyota Prado – still yet to be found.
The Prado was first seen at 12.30am on Wednesday, police said, when it was “swerving in its lane attempting to allegedly collide with a police vehicle on Railway Terrace” in Alice Springs.
Police said the vehicle was not reported as stolen at the time of the alleged incident.
After the alleged near-miss, police said the occupants of the Prado began throwing rocks at another police vehicle on the Stuart Highway – smashing the car’s driver’s side window.
No officers were injured, police said.
The Prado was then spotted with two other stolen vehicles – a white MG and a Subaru XV, both of which have now been recovered – on Ross Highway, police said, when the Prado occupants again allegedly threw rocks at police.
“The police vehicle sustained a shattered rear passenger window as a result,” police said, but no officers were hurt.
Police said the Prado has now been confirmed as stolen, “and remains outstanding with the unknown occupants”.
Police are urging anyone with more information – including CCTV or dashcam footage – to make contact on 131 444
Court dates set for girl’s accused of driving stolen car in Tennant Creek crash
September 4, 10am: Northern Territory police have laid a string of charges against three women, who will now face court over their alleged involvement in a Tennant Creek crash which involved a car stolen from Darwin.
Police said three women aged 17, 19, and 20, have been charged in relation to a crash which occurred on Paterson St in Tennant Creek on Sunday morning.
The crash involved a silver Toyota HiLux, which police said was reported stolen from Darwin the day earlier.
The trio have been charged with damaging property, driving a vehicle in a dangerous manner, theft, and driving a motor vehicle without consent, police said.
The 17-year-old has two theft charges, as well as an additional charge of driving while unlicensed, while the 19-year-old was remanded in custody.
The 17-year-old will face court on September 11, while the 19 and 20-year-olds fronted Alice Springs Local Court on Wednesday.
‘Far too high’: Police lament drug-drivers during Red CentreNATS
September 3: A Northern Territory Police senior sergeant said the number of drivers that tested positive for drug-driving during the Red CentreNATS weekend was “far too high”, as drivers were busted with cannabis, driving drunk, or driving under the influence of drugs.
Police were out in force during the car festival, conducting random breath and drug tests from Thursday, August 29 to Sunday, September 1 – leading to seven arrests and 19 notices to appear in court being issued, they said.
Police said over four days more than 3700 random breath tests were conducted, with 14 coming back positive.
Senior Sergeant Andrew Heath said a number of those were caught first thing in the morning.
Police also conducted just shy of 100 drug tests, with 11 coming back positive, while 84 returned a negative result.
“It was concerning that 13 per cent of drivers tested at the Drug Testing Stations returned positive results for either cannabis or methamphetamine,” Mr Heath said.
“This number is far too high.”
Police said there were seven pursuits, one motor vehicle crash responded to, and one ounce of cannabis seized.
A 19-year-old female also landed herself a court date, after being charged with dangerous driving, failing to stop at a RBT, driving unregistered and uninsured, and driving with a prohibited drug in their system.
Police said they apprehended the female after a “short pursuit” when she allegedly failed to stop at an RBT.
She will face Alice Springs Local Court on October 16.
Six defected cars were also identified, police said, and speed cameras issued 179 infringements.
“Police will continue to be anywhere, anytime, challenging these bad behaviours and removing unsafe motorists from our roads,” Mr Heath said.
Police say car in Tennant Creek crash stolen from Darwin, two arrests made in relation
September 2: Northern Territory police say two arrests have been made after a crash in Tennant Creek involved a car reported stolen from Darwin, but say they are still searching for its driver.
Police said the crash occurred on Paterson St in Tennant Creek, Sunday morning, September 1, after a car stolen from Darwin allegedly fled without paying for fuel at a service station 25km north of the town on the same day.
“Three female offenders travelling in the vehicle allegedly stole items from the service station and left without paying for fuel,” police said.
Police said the stolen car was a silver Toyota Hilux, and was reported stolen 9.30am on Saturday, August 31, from a home in Darwin.
After the crash in Tennant Creek, police said two “female offenders” were arrested, while the 36-year-old driver of the other vehicle was taken to hospital “with minor injuries”.
“The female driver of the stolen motor vehicle remains outstanding, and investigations are ongoing,” police said.
Police are calling for anyone with more information – including dashcam footage or CCTV – to get in contact on 131 444, quoting reference NTP2400086194.
Anonymous reports can also be made via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.
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