Media release

Man Arrested After Absconding from Mandated Facility in Alice Springs

Police

Northern Territory Police have charged a 27-year-old man who absconded from a facility he was required to reside at in Alice Springs over the weekend.

Just after 3:30pm on Saturday, the man fled the facility, cutting off his electronic monitoring device (EMD) before making his escape.

CCTV footage reviewed by police showed a Toyota Prado, driven by a female associate, arriving at the scene. Shortly after, the man was seen entering the vehicle and fleeing the area.

An arrest team, including members from General Duties, Crime, and the Dog Operations Unit, was dispatched to locate the offender, who actively evaded apprehension throughout the evening.

The following day, Darwin Traffic Operations members, while conducting patrols south of Katherine, received an automatic number plate recognition alert on the vehicle of interest, which was travelling northbound towards Katherine.

In response, a coordinated plan was enacted, involving Katherine General Duties and Road Policing units, who deployed tyre deflation devices.

Despite attempts to evade capture, the vehicle was successfully stopped, and both the man and the female driver were arrested. The female, also in breach of her bail conditions for cutting off her EMD, was taken into custody.

The man was charged with:

  • Failing to obey the direction of a police officer
  • Driving unlicensed
  • Driving with a prohibited drug in his body

He is due to appear in Katherine court today.

The female was charged with:

  • Breach of bail

She is also set to appear in Katherine court today.