Police were called to Red Rooster in Palmerston around 10pm with reports that staff had been assaulted and cash stolen.

Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Board from the Serious Crime Squad said it is alleged the offender entered the premises and threatened staff with a syringe and demanded cash.

“The offender allegedly stole a sum of cash from a register before fleeing the location.” Detective Senior Sergeant Board said.

“The man was apprehended by quick responding Police a short time later in a licenced premises.

“This particular robbery put a teenage cashier in a dangerous situation, however he remained calm and handled it well.”

The alleged offender was charged with the following:

• Robbery while armed – Dangerous weapon
• Assault – Threaten with firearm/ weapon
• Armed with an offensive weapon at night

Detectives from the Serious Crime Squad are investigating an armed robbery which occurred at a supermarket in Moil.

Officer in Charge of the Serious Crime Squad, Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Chris Board said the incident occurred at around 7:20pm last night.

“It was reported that a man wearing a balaclava and gloves entered the supermarket on Moil Crescent and demanded cash.” Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Board said.

“The offender produced a knife and threatened two staff members before fleeing the area with a sum of cash.

“He is described to be of Caucasian appearance, approximately 180 – 200cm tall and of solid build, with a tattoo on his neck. At the time of the offence, he was wearing dark coloured jeans and a jumper with white sneakers.

Detectives from the General Crimes Section have arrested a 20 year-old man and a 17 year-old female this morning in relation to the robbery of a taxi driver.

Police will allege the two were responsible for stealing a sum of money and a mobile phone from the taxi driver in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Chris Board said the driver had picked the pair up in Mitchell Street and had driven them to Palmerston.

“On exiting the taxi the man became aggressive and allegedly threatened to assault the driver before asking the female to ‘Bring the gun.’

“The driver handed over cash and his phone before the pair allegedly destroyed the security camera in the taxi and searched through the car.  The man and woman have then run away.”

General Crime Detectives arrested the pair this morning after they were identified from CCTV footage obtained from the taxi.  They are currently in Police custody.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Board said he expects charges to be laid later today.

This weekends Operation Unite in the Northern Territory resulted in 225 persons taken into protective custody.

This is the second highest number when compared to previous Operations:

Assistant Commissioner Grahame Kelly said 225 people who were so intoxicated that they were considered a risk to themselves or others is too high,

“122 of those 225 people spent the night in one of our Watch Houses as a result of their level of intoxication. The others were either taken home to the care of a responsible person or conveyed to a sobering up shelter.

“The 122 who spent the night in a Police Watch House were sharing with plenty more reasons to continue to raise awareness about alcohol misuse and risky drinking behaviour.

“In total, 44 people were arrested across the Territory for various, alcohol related offences including assault, disorderly behaviour and drink driving.

“If the law itself and respecting the need to drive responsibly aren’t enough to deter people from getting behind the wheel drunk, you would think the days of notice in the lead up to this operation might be.

“Alas, the worst drink driving offence of the weekend was a female in Tennant Creek who was arrested after returning a reading of 0.272%.

“In Darwin alone, 2552 drivers were tested, with 21 over the legal limit. That’s more than one in every 120 drivers tested.

“The most alarming drink driver which remains beyond belief was a male in Darwin who tested positive, was issued with an Infringement Notice, only to be tested again later at the same RBT and recorded 0.158%.

“In Katherine, a vehicle was seized for hooning.

“A total of 10 banning notices were issued, 6 of which were in Katherine alone, last night.

“The 6 in Katherine last night were issued as a result of fighting in a public place, disorderly behaviour and drinking within a public restricted area.

“Once again, this National Operation and the Territory results bring to the forefront, the issues we face in society regarding problematic alcohol consumption and irresponsible behaviour.

“People need to take a good look at their own alcohol consumption and take responsibility. Risky drinking behaviour not only places themselves at risk, but also those around them.

“With Christmas party’s and festive celebrations over the next few weeks, I hope the Territory can learn something from this weekends experience and some good can come from it.” Assistant Commissioner Grahame Kelly said.

Detectives from the General Crime Section have arrested eight people in relation to the robberies at the Winnellie Hotel and Hidden Valley Tavern on 13 November.

Prior to a violent disturbance that took place at a residence in Moulden, it is alleged that a group of men attended bottle shops at the Winnellie Hotel and the Hidden Valley Tavern in a white Isuzu tip-truck to steal alcohol.

Police have charged four men, aged 18, 21, 22 and 42 years, as well as a 17 year-old youth with various offences including;

• Robbery in Company
• Stealing
• Traffic Offences
• Liquor Offences
• Property Offences

Three of the men and the youth appeared before the Darwin Magistrates Court today.

The 21 year-old man has been remanded in custody until 16 January 2012.

The 22 year-old man has been remanded in custody until 23 November 2011.

The 42 year-old man has been remanded in custody until 2 December 2011.

The 17 year-old youth was been bailed to appear in the Youth Justice Court on 9 January 2012.

The 18 year-old man has been bailed to appear in the Darwin Magistrates Court on 7 December 2011.

An additional three alleged offenders, one being a youth, have been arrested and are expected to be charged later today.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Chris Board said that this has been a significant result due to the hard work by a team of investigators that have been working tirelessly since Sunday night.

“Detectives from the General Crime Section have interviewed over twenty witnesses and obtained CCTV footage which has resulted in the arrests. I would also like to thank members of the public who have provided us with information in relation to these incidents.

“This type of behaviour in the community is unacceptable and we expect to make further arrests in the coming week in relation to the violent disturbance in Moulden,” said Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Board.

Detectives from the General Crime Section have arrested two males in relation to an armed robbery that occurred at a Stuart Park takeaway food store last night.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Chris Board from the General Crime Section said that two men attended Wong’s Chinese Takeaway at around 7:30 pm and ordered a meal.

“The men left the store, however one of the men returned approximately an hour later,” said Detective A/Senior Sergeant Board.

“It is alleged that at this time he produced a 15 cm knife and demanded cash from the 56-year-old female store owner.

“He stole a small amount of cash and ran towards the Stuart Highway and Westralia Street intersection.

“A male customer that was in the store at the time witnessed the event and chased the offender, however lost sight of him on the Stuart Highway.

“Thankfully no one was injured or hurt during the robbery.

The two men aged 29 and 40 were located and arrested around 12:00 pm on Smith Street and are likely to be charged later today.

“Although we’ve made two arrests, I still urge anyone that may have been in the area at the time, or who may have been travelling on a bus out of the city at around 8:20 pm last night to contact Police. It is believed the males have caught a bus in the vicinity of Westralia Street shortly after the robbery. One of the males was carrying a large swag and I ask anyone that may have seen the men, to contact Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Chris Board said the male is alleged to have entered the business at around 6:30 pm and demanded money.

“A female worker was assaulted before the male stole a sum of money and fled the area.

“A team of detectives have worked tirelessly on this case since Saturday evening. Today their efforts paid off when they received information the male was about to flee Darwin. 

“The man was located in a vehicle at the Darwin City Woolworths complex and we believe he was intending to flee the Territory.

“The 20-year-old was charged with robbery, aggravated assault, stealing and trespass and appeared in the Darwin Magistrate’s Court late this afternoon.

“I would like to praise the efforts of the General Crime Section in locating and apprehending the offender before he had a chance to flee interstate.

“I would also like to thank members of the public and the media outlets for their assistance,” said Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Board.

Detective Senior Constable First Class Warren Scott said that at approximately 6:30 pm, a man entered the Li Li Massage Centre on Edmunds Street and demanded money.

“It is alleged the man knocked on the door and then punched a female worker in the face numerous times before pushing her out of the store. A second man waited outside and acted as a look out.

“Once inside, the man went through the till drawer and stole an amount of cash before running from the area. The two men were last seen running down Cavenagh Street towards Knuckey Street.

“The second man, who acted as a look out, had earlier entered the The Love Shop on Edmunds Street moments before. He asked the store assistant for money however left upon being refused,” said Detective Senior Constable First Class Scott.

The first man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 20 to 24 years old, approximately 165cm tall, slim build, was clean shaven and has short light brown coloured hair. He was wearing a white shirt with red on the shoulders and 3/4 knee length shorts.

The second man is described as being of Aboriginal appearance, 20 to 24 years old, approximately 168cm tall and of medium to chubby build. He was wearing a black and red camo print singlet, black 3/4 knee length short with a white strip, a white baseball cap, white shoes and a bandana tied around his neck

A 26-year-old man has been arrested in relation to a robbery that occurred in Northlakes yesterday.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Chris Board from the General Crime Section said that the incident occurred in broad daylight, at around 6:00 pm.

“It was reported to us, that a 65-year-old woman was withdrawing money from an ATM at Northlakes Shopping Centre, when she was approached by a man asking for money,” said Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Board.

“It is alleged that he initially asked for $2, but when she refused, he took $50 from her and punched her in the face.

“The man then ran from the area and was seen by a witness, who gave chase and followed him back to a residence in Anula.

“Police attended a short time later and arrested the alleged offender at a Fountain Street home.

“General Crime detectives interviewed the man today and he has since been charged with robbery.

“I’d like to commend the action of the witness. Without his assistance, the offender may have remained outstanding.

“It can take only a moment for someone to approach you from behind whilst withdrawing money from an ATM, so I urge everyone to take care when using them.”