Four people remain in custody following a melee at an Alice Springs town camp last night in which a number of Police cars were damaged.

Alice Springs Detective Senior Sergeant Travis Wurst said Officers attended the Hidden Valley Town Camp at about 8.30 to investigate the report of a fire.

“When Officers arrived they allegedly found two highly intoxicated people, a 44-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman, and took them into protective custody,” Detective Senior Sergeant Wurst said.

“While Police were attempting to find a person of interest in relation to the fire, they found a further two intoxicated men aged 54 and 25.

“While Officers were taking those men into protective custody, they began to violently struggle with Police.

“At this time, other persons around the vicinity allegedly became verbally abusive towards Police and allegedly armed themselves with rocks and began to throw them at Police, forcing Officers to release the 44-year-old from their control.

“This man allegedly opened the caged Police vehicle and released the original persons.

“These persons joined in the melee and allegedly began attacking the Police vehicles with logs and rocks smashing windows and light bars.

“Officers deployed Tasers, which were ineffective.

 “The 54-year-old man allegedly armed himself with a box cutter and threatened Officers, who then used batons to gain control and arrest the man.

“Other officers arrived and further arrests of the rioters were made.

“The 54-year-old received injuries to his leg and knee which will require surgery."

Three men aged 25, 44, 54 and a 30-year-old woman have been charged with criminal damage and assault Police.

Media Contact
Gina Wilson
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