A 35-year-old man was arrested during the early hours of this morning as he was allegedly tampering with an ATM at the Howard Springs news agency.
Members from Operation Compadre (targeting youth crime over the Christmas Holidays) and the Commanders Tactical Team were conducting surveillance on a number of premises which have moveable ATMs situated inside them.
They were stationed outside the Howard Springs Shops at approximately 3:00 am this morning when they sighted a white Holden Commodore utility which quickly fled the scene.
At approximately 4:30 am members were notified of a report from the owner of the Howard Springs news agency sighting people inside the shopping complex.
Members attended within minutes and observed the 26-year-old male allegedly using welding equipment on the ATM. He was arrested at the scene.
It is believed that this incident may be linked with numerous other incidents targeting ATM's in local businesses throughout November and December.
Between 4 and 29 November, the Fannie Bay Turf Club was unlawfully entered on three separate occasions. On two of these occasions the ATM located inside the premises was tampered with, and on the last occasion cash was stolen from the machine.
The Darwin Ski Club was the target of a similar incident on 4 December. Offenders used welding equipment to enter and tamper with an ATM before being disturbed by members of the public. Witnesses saw two males wearing balaclavas fleeing the scene in a small older model Hatchback or coupe.
The fifth incident of similar characteristics occurred at the Howard Springs Shops during the night of 10 December or morning of 11 December. Offenders attempted to prize open an ATM, however were unsuccessful and fled the scene after alarms were activated.
The latest of the break-ins occurred between midnight and 6:00 am on Saturday 12 December at the Trailer Boat Club. An ATM containing cash was dislodged and stolen from the premises and later located and retrieved by police in nearby swamp land.
All incidents and the link between them are currently being investigated.
Senior Sergeant Robert Jordan is calling on the public for assistance in identifying any co-offenders and the vehicles used in any of the incidents.
"Police are keen to locate a White Holden VS Commodore Northern Territory Registered NT 941775."
"If any person has any information in relation to the thefts or may have witnessed any suspicious activity in the area including any vehicle, please contact Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.nt.crimestoppers.com.au," he said.
Media contact:
Kyla Raby
8922 3365
