Police have arrested a 16-year-old male who escaped custody from the Alice Springs Detention Centre yesterday afternoon.

Superintendent Megan Rowe said Police will allege the male stole a Troop Carrier in Alice Springs this morning and travelled north on the Stuart Highway.

“Police from Katherine, Mataranka and Elliott, along with the Dog Operations Unit arrested the male near the Elsey Memorial Cemetery turn off on the Stuart Highway, 15 kilometres south of Mataranka, at about 3:20pm."

He remains in Police custody and is being transported to Katherine Police Station.