Northern Territory Police have made multiple arrests in relation to an aggravated robbery and two aggravated burglaries in Katherine across the weekend.
Just before 3:00am on Saturday 16 March, police received information that 5 youths had smashed their way through the front window and doors of a Katherine service station along Bicentennial Road, with one youth allegedly armed with an edged weapon.
Two staff members and a security guard onsite retreated to the back office locking themselves inside.
The offenders allegedly stole food and other items from behind the cashier area, before 2 adult females entered the store and removed the weapon from one of the youths in an attempt to stop the offending.
The same adult females then appear to steal numerous items before exiting after the youths had fled.
Members from Katherine general duties swiftly attended the location, engaging in a foot chase with 3 youths before they were apprehended.
A short time later, police located the 2 adult females nearby where they were subsequently arrested for property offending.
A 12-year-old male has since been charged with:
- Theft
- Aggravated burglary – building
- Going armed in public
- Possess / carry / use control weapon – night
- Damage to property
A 13-year-old male has since been charged with:
- Aggravated burglary – building
- Damage to property
- Theft
A 12-year-old male was conveyed to a Responsible adult and will be subsequently summons to court.
Investigations are continuing into the incident to identify and locate further offenders.
In a separate incident on the same day, members from general duties arrested a 20-year-old man in relation to a taxi robbery.
Just after 6:00pm, police received a report that a taxi travelling along Chambers Drive picked up a male passenger, before the male assaulted the driver and stole the vehicle.
The offender was apprehended without incident a short time later, after abandoning the vehicle.
The taxi driver sustained injuries as a result of the assault.
A 20-year-old male has since been arrested and charged with:
- Aggravated robbery
- Driver with prohibited drug
- Drive medium range alcohol content
- Recklessly endangering serious harm
- Drive a vehicle while unlicensed
On Sunday 17 March, police identified 3 youths in relation to an armed robbery on a business premises in Katherine East.
Just before 9:00pm, police received information that a business premises along Cyprus Street had been unlawfully entered. It is alleged that 3 female youths threatened an employee with an edged weapon and demanded money, before being startled and fleeing.
With the help of CCTV operators, general duties tracked the offenders to Railway Terrace where they were subsequently apprehended without incident.
Three youths, aged 13, 14 and 15, were conveyed home to a responsible adult and a referral has been made to Territory Families.
The 3 female youth will be dealt with under the Youth Justice Act.
Senior Sergeant Warren Scott said, “Community safety is our top priority and the behaviour we saw over the weekend was completely unacceptable.
“I commend the work of general duties members for the quick apprehension of all offenders and the work of our dedicated CCTV operators, who provided vital information to our frontline”.
Northern Territory Police continue to urge members of the public to report crime and anti-social behaviour on 131 444 or 000 in an emergency. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or through https://crimestoppers.com.au/.
