Media release

Taxi driver assault – arrests

Police

An 18-year-old man has been charged with the aggravated robbery of a taxi driver and two other males aged 18 and 22 are assisting police with their enquiries.

Palmerston Police established a Taskforce to investigate the robbery of a taxi driver that occurred about 2.30 am on Tuesday 3 February on Lorna Lim Terrace in Palmerston.

It is alleged that the taxi driver was assaulted and robbed after driving five men from United Petroleum on Bagot Road to Palmerston. The offenders removed a quantity of cash from the vehicle before fleeing the area.

The 33-year-old male taxi driver received facial injuries requiring treatment at Royal Darwin Hospital.

Police are following several leads and are confident of further apprehensions. Members of the public are urged to come forward if they have any information that could assist police with their investigation.

"This was a senseless and violent crime and members of the Taskforce have acted quickly to catch the offenders, "said Superintendent Matt Hollamby.

"The Detectives in the Taskforce have worked some long hours to catch these offenders. In serious crimes such as this we pool our policing resources to form a Taskforce whose sole objective is to apprehend the offenders.

"Assaults of this nature will not be tolerated and police will continue to adopt a zero tolerance approach to keep the streets of Palmerston safe for all, "he said.

Anyone with information regarding this assault should call 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Media note: Superintendent Matt Hollamby will be available for interview at 3.30 pm today at Palmerston Police Station

Media Contact:
Sue Bradley
8922 3531