Five people have been arrested and charged in relation to a number of unlawful entries at an Alice Springs hotel over the weekend.

The first incident occurred just after 1.30am on Saturday morning when offenders forced a door to gain entry to the bar of the Gap View Hotel in Gap Road. Police arrested a 20-year-old man who was apprehended by security guards after alarms were activated. The man was in the process of taking a quantity of alcohol from the bar in a plastic trolley when he was apprehended by the security guard. Two co-offenders fled the scene before police arrived.

The man has been charged with unlawful entry and stealing and will appear in the Alice Springs Magistrates court today.

Then, just after 12.30am on Sunday morning police received a report that the hotel had again been unlawfully entered. Thieves gained entry by forcing a rear roller door and then made off with a large quantity of alcohol. Four men were arrested nearby and later charged with unlawful entry, criminal damage and stealing.

Two of the men, aged 19 and 23, have been bailed to appear at the Mutitjulu Magistrates Court on May 6, while another, aged 26, has been bailed to appear in the Alice Springs Magistrates Court on May 20. The fourth man, aged 21, was remanded in custody to appear in the Alice Springs Magistrates Court today.

Police received another report that the hotel had again been unlawfully entered just after 6am on Sunday, however, nothing was believed to have been stolen on that occasion as the offenders were disturbed by security staff.

Investigations into all the incidents are continuing and anyone with information should phone police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.


Media contact:
Theresa Kuilboer
8951 8825
0419 803 603