A 26 year-old man will appear in the Darwin Magistrates Court this morning to face charges of unlawfully possessing property following the discovery of a large haul of electrical and personal items at a backpacker hotel in Darwin.

Detectives were called to the budget accommodation after an alert manager, investigating reports of a person unlawfully residing in a vacant room, found several plastic bags filled with various items suspected to have been stolen.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Mark Stringer said items recovered included mobile phones, cameras, credit cards, cash and clothing.

“Our investigations lead us to believe these items were collected through criminal activity.  We have been able to track one item to a backpacker hotel in Queensland where it was reported as stolen and we are following up reports of theft in New South Wales.

“It appears that the 26 year-old has travelled up through NSW, into QLD and across to the NT staying in budget style accommodation.  Police understand there have been several offences reported in the wake of this person.”

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Stringer said investigations were continuing and Police would like to talk to anyone who may have been a recent victim of theft while staying at backpacker style accommodation in Darwin.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Police on 131 444 or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.