Police yesterday laid multiple charges against two 10-year-old boys following a crime series in April in which a dozen people have now been charged.

Officer in charge of the Palmerston Police Station Senior Sergeant Daniel Shean said the 12 arrests were made between 30 April and 8 May for a spate of crimes across Palmerston and Darwin last month that resulted in the theft and damage of hundreds of thousands of dollars in property.

"Unfortunately, Palmerston experienced an unusually high number of unlawful entries during the day and at night during the month of April,” Senior Sergeant Shean said.

“General Duties (GD) Police from Palmerston made the first of the arrests on April 30.

“Through excellent Police work, GDs cordoned and contained an area and utilised the Dog Operations Unit to assist before they arrested two youths and a further youth on May 1 resulting in an end to the day time unlawful entries.

"Unlawful entries at night continued until the early hours of Monday morning when Palmerston General Duties Police, using proactive Policing tactics, arrested a number of people, aged between 10 and 28, in Rosebery.

"As a result of these arrests, the Palmerston, Casuarina and Darwin Tactical Teams worked with the General Duties Police and an Officer from the Police Fingerprints Unit to further identify two persons of interest who have subsequently been arrested.

"In total, 12 people have been arrested for at least 20 different crime reports and a significant amount of stolen property recovered and returned to victims. 

“These people are responsible for around $20,000 in damage, the theft of more than $200,000 worth of property and unlawfully using about 10 motor vehicles.

“The arrests will have a significantly positive effect on property crime reduction.

“They also highlight the excellent collaborative work of our General Duties Police, Tactical Teams and the Forensic Unit.

“Investigations are continuing and further arrests are expected.”

Media Contact
Gina Wilson
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