Members from Taskforce Raven have arrested 40 people and recovered thousands of dollars worth of stolen items since the operation began last month.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Mark Stringer said the operation is targeting drug, property and violent crime offenders throughout Darwin, Palmerston and surrounding areas.

“Police have arrested 40 people and recovered around $80,000 worth of stolen property since the operation began on 23 July,” Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Stringer said.

“We have collated a number of statistics from before and during the operation, and it seems the targeted approach taken by Detectives is working.

“In the three weeks prior to Operation Raven, Police received reports of 98 unlawful entries, 43 interfere with motor vehicles and 19 stolen motor vehicles.

“Since the operation began, those numbers have dropped to 59 unlawful entries, 26 interfere with motor vehicles and nine stolen motor vehicles.

“It appears offenders are aware of the increased Police presence in affected areas. For this to continue, I urge anyone who may have been the victim of property crime to contact Police immediately on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. The quicker we receive the call, the higher the chance we will locate the offender.

“A speedy call from a home owner who had his boat stolen from a neighbouring property in Palmerston is great example of this.

“Police were called at around 4:30pm on Tuesday 17 July when a man and his son returned home and noticed his white 5.2m Quintrex Coast Runner, despite having been chained, had been stolen.

“The offender/s were quite prepared, having taken bolt cutters and a four wheel drive to remove the boat on it’s trailer.

“Yesterday morning Police received a call from a member of the public, stating the vessel, although disguised, was in the backyard of a home in Wanguri.

“Taskforce Raven Detectives attended and located the vessel which had been completely stripped of identifying features. The alleged offenders were even in the process of painting the hull bright red.

“Enquiries are continuing in relation to the offender/s.

“The Taskforce will continue targeting drug, property and violent crime offenders and I again urge anyone who may be a victim, to contact Police immediately on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”

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