It is alleged a group of men in a white Toyota Landcruiser troop carrier attended the Hayes Creek Wayside Inn at about 11:00 pm and asked the owner to purchase some alcohol. The owner declined and informed the men that the inn was closed.


Police were immediately notified of the incident and informed the persons of interest were travelling north.

Adelaide River Police and Traffic members from Darwin, who were performing Random Breath Testing duties at Adelaide River as part of Operation RAID, travelled to the Dorat and Daly River Road intersection and intercepted the vehicle.


All 10 occupants of the vehicle appeared intoxicated and a search of the car revealed the stolen beer and spirits valued at around $500. The 20-year-old male learner driver was breath tested and returned a positive blood alcohol content reading of .153 percent.

Five of the ten occupants were arrested; two were apprehended for unrelated matters.

A sixth person was apprehended for protective custody at around 5:00 am this morning when police returning from Hayes Creek found him sitting on the road after he had been left behind by his accomplices the night before.

A 20-year-old male is expected to be charged with traffic and stealing matters including drive high range BAC and two men aged 26 & 38 are expected to be charged with unlawful entry, stealing and criminal damage later today.

Superintendent Tony Fuller said this was an example of good police work.

"This was a quick arrest and shows that remote community police are out and about at all hours".

"This is the second time within a month that Adelaide River members have apprehended drivers driving with high range in the Dorat Road area late at night. It is yet another example of poor alcohol related judgement where people's lives were unnecessarily put at risk, exactly the type of behaviour Operation RAID is targeting to try and keep people safe over the Christmas period" he said.



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