Northern Territory Police have charged a 16-year-old youth following the alleged theft of a motor vehicle in Alice Springs.

Detective Senior Sergeant Leith Phillips said that the offender stole the vehicle worth $23,000 on Thursday, 12 May.

“The victim contacted Police about 8:30pm notifying them of the theft,” he said.

“It is alleged that the offenders smashed the window and located a spare set of keys in the glove box.

“Police located the vehicle abandoned early the following morning.

“An identification card belonging to the offender was recovered from the vehicle.

“Police arrested the male on Tuesday 17 May.”

He was charged with:

• Aggravated unlawful use of a motor vehicle
• Stealing

He was remanded in custody to appear in the Alice Springs Local Court on 20 May.

“This is a timely reminder to the public, not to leave your car unattended with keys in it,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Phillips.