Officers from the Territory Safety Division have arrested a male youth in relation to allegations of going armed in public, damaging multiple vehicles and threatening/attempting to assault members of the public.

At about 2pm yesterday, the youth is alleged to have approached the first victim on the corner of Progress Drive and Boetdoemba street, threatened to punch her before attempting to punch her in the head. The victim was forced to take evasive action in order to avoid being struck before running from the offender. Shortly after this incident the offender allegedly armed himself with a metal pole and a glass bottle before walking along Progress Drive towards Bagot Road. The offender then allegedly threw the pole at a vehicle,  causing damage and frightening the occupants, before rearming himself with the pole and continuing  to walk along Progress Drive. The offender allegedly approached one of the stationary vehicles containing a female and two young children and threatened them by raising the metal pole up and motioning as though he was going to smash the windscreen of the vehicle. The actions of the offender terrified the female and children inside the vehicle.

The youth continued  with this behaviour damaging further vehicles driving through the area by allegedly throwing a bottle at one and striking another vehicle multiple times with the metal pole.

Officers from the Territory Safety Division responded to the incident, locating the offender walking along Progress Drive armed with two metal poles. The offender was subsequently arrested by police. 

The youth, aged 15, was charged with:

• 3 x Aggravated Assault
• 2 x Damage to Property
• 1 x Endanger Occupants of Vehicle
• 1 x Going Armed in Public

He was remanded to appear in court today.

Acting Superintendent of the Territory Safety Division Alex Noonan said “This type of offending is unacceptable and members of the community should not be subjected to this level of violence and senseless destruction. The quick and decisive action of the officers involved is to be commended and prevented further escalation.”

“This is still an active investigation and anyone with information or dashcam footage of this incident is urged to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference NTP2500047620. You can also report anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”