Detectives from the General Crime Section have arrested a 22-year-old man in relation to two armed robberies in Moulden and Driver.

On Wednesday 13 July, it is alleged the man entered the 5 Star Handimart at the Moulden Shops armed with a knife and approached two shop attendants.

The man pointed the knife at the two shop attendants and demanded money from the till, before exiting the store and fleeing into neighbouring parkland.

On Wednesday 18 May, it is alleged the same man entered the Driver Supermarket store brandishing a large, rusted machete. He threatened the attendant, before demanding money from the till and running from the store.

The 22-year-old man has been charged with two counts of aggravated robbery.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Chris Board, from the General Crime Section said a team of Detectives have been continually investigating these matters, resulting in the subsequent arrest of the 22-year-old male yesterday.

“These types of offences do cause fear and apprehension in the community, and we are committed to reducing the opportunity for these would be offenders to commit such serious crimes.

“Most supermarkets and similar retail stores have CCTV cameras installed and these greatly assist investigators in providing lines of enquiry and gathering evidence.

“Anyone contemplating such offences should know that we will identify you and place you before the courts.

” We would also like to acknowledge the assistance received from members of the public and the media, whom assisted in the identification and ultimately the arrest of the offender,” he said.

NT Police are calling for public assistance following the robbery of a taxi driver in Nightcliff overnight.

At approximately 08:30 pm last night, a taxi driver received a fare for one male to be transported from Sergison Circuit, Rapid Creek to Grevillea Circuit, Nightcliff.

It is alleged that when the 22-year-old taxi driver arrived at the location, an unknown male walked out from some nearby bushes and got into the front passenger seat of the taxi. The taxi then proceeded to Grevillea Circuit, with the driver requesting payment on arrival.

Is it alleged the male passenger threatened the taxi driver with a knife and demanded money, to which the taxi driver complied.

The male then requested to be driven further up the road where he stepped out of the vehicle and ran off into a park. The taxi driver drove off and contacted police.

The alleged offender is described as a male of Maori or Pacific Islander appearance, in his mid twenties, approximately 182cms tall, muscular build and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a grey hooded jumper, dark ¾ length shorts and white thongs.

A 22-year-old male has been arrested in Alice Springs after being sighted on CCTV in possession of a machete. He was sighted at the 24 hour store waving the weapon above his head.

Information was communicated quickly to officers on the ground and the man was located, searched and arrested. The weapon was found secreted down his pants.

The man has been charged with possess controlled weapon at night and is facing court today in Alice Springs.

Alice Springs police have praised the CCTV cameras as a very useful crime fighting tool. 

Superintendent Michael Murphy said this is another great example of CCTV monitoring and how effective it can be across the Northern Territory.

This follows four juvenile arrests for the assault of a man on July 6th. Two 15-year-olds, a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old have been charged with assault and robbery of a 29-year-old man on the corner of Stott and South Terrace. The youths attacked the man before taking his wallet and returning a short time later to take the mans’ pizza.

“CCTV is a very useful tool to combat crime, manage hot spots and identity and locate offenders. This is excellent work by the CCTV Operators in Darwin and the General Duties members and Detectives in Alice Springs who effect the arrests. This is just another modern policing technique to keep people safe,” Superintendent Murphy said.

It is alleged that at approximately 8:30 pm, a male entered the 5 Star Handimart armed with a knife and approached two shop attendants.

The male, who had his face covered in a black material, pointed the knife at the two shop attendants and demanded money from the till.

The male stole an amount of cash before exiting the store and fleeing into neighbouring parkland.

The male is described as being of Aboriginal appearance, approximately 178cms tall, of a medium build and in his late teens to early twenties. He was wearing a light blue hooded jumper, light coloured jeans, white shoes and black material covering his face.

Police believe that three people who were seen running from the area at around the same time as the armed robbery may be involved.

Police would like to speak with the two customers who were in the shop at the time of the robbery and urge them to contact Police on 131 444.

Police have arrested a naked 26 year old man in Katherine overnight after routine patrols were alerted by an alarm from the sport and recreation club.

On arrival police heard loud noises from inside and while waiting for backup a fully naked man was seen exiting the club holding a bag allegedly containing a quantity of alcohol.  He was arrested and police believe the person removed his clothes in order to gain entry through a narrow space.

The man has been charged with aggravated entry of a building at night with intent to commit a crime, unlawful damage and stealing.

Alice Springs Investigators are calling on assistance from the public in relation to a serious assault that occurred on Saturday 2 July 2011.

It is alleged that a 40-year-old man was walking along Gap Road, opposite Piggly Wiggley’s shops at approximately 10:00 pm when he was set upon by 10-12 indigenous males.

It is believed that two of the offenders were armed with sticks.

The male sustained facial injuries and is to be conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital for treatment.

A 23-year-old male will appear in Court today after he was caught stealing from the Bunnings Warehouse store in Palmerston.

Staff members observed the male acting suspiciously and alerted police to their concerns at about 4:00 pm.

Members of the Casuarina and Palmerston Tactical Team attended the store and arrested the male as he was leaving the store.

A search of the man’s backpack exposed $1236.00 worth of stolen tools:

• 4 x Makita Cordless Drills
• 2 x sets of Viper Drill bits
• 2 x Makita Battery Charges
• 3 x Kingchrome Drill Driver bits
• 2 x Weller Butane torches
• 1 x set of Kingchrome Spanners
• 1 x pair of Dewalt gloves

The man has been charged with stealing property and will appear in the Darwin Magistrates Court today.

A 41-year-old woman will face court after allegedly attempting to rob staff at a retail store in Hele Crescent yesterday.  
 
Police received a report just before 2.30pm that a woman had arrived at Exotiq Homewares in a taxi and entered the store. She then allegedly threatened staff with a knife and demanded money, but the staff fled the building and called police. The woman then walked off towards Smith Street where police apprehended her a short time later.  
 
She has been charged with attempt robbery and failure to pay a taxi fare.  
 
She has been bailed to appear in the Alice Springs Magistrates Court on July 26.

NT Police are investigating a crime that occurred in the early hours of Sunday the 12th of June on Mitchell Street in Darwin’s CBD.  
 
It is alleged a male passenger assaulted a female passenger of a taxi travelling from the CBD to the Northern suburbs.  
 
The male is described as being approximately 30-years-old, with a distinctive flattened or broken nose and Irish accent. He was wear wearing blue jeans and a light coloured long sleeve checked shirt. CCTV footage shows he was in company with another male similarly dressed who was wearing a red checked shirt. The two are seen at a taxi rank in front of the Cinemas on Mitchell Street at approximately 5:30 am.  
 
NT Police are seeking assistance from the public in the form of any information relating to male persons depicted.

Three more males have been arrested in regards to a series of unlawful entries and stealings in Alice Springs at the weekend.  
 
Yesterday police arrested two men aged 20 and 22 for unlawful entries which occurred at the All Seasons Oasis and the Shell Truck Stop in the early hours of Sunday morning.  
 
A Mazda Bravo utility which was stolen from a residence in Battarbee Street overnight on Saturday was used to ram raid the glass doors at the All Seasons Oasis around 4am on Sunday morning. The offenders then stole a large quantity of alcohol before driving off.  
 
About half an hour later the Shell Truck Stop was unlawfully entered and a safe containing a large amount of cash was stolen. The thieves also stole mobile phones, cigarettes and food.  
 
Two offenders were arrested near the Northside shops yesterday a few hours after the offences. They were charged with numerous offences including unlawful use of a motor vehicle, two counts of unlawful entry and two counts of stealing. They were remanded in custody to appear in the Alice Springs Magistrates Court today when they were further remanded to June 27.  
 
A further three males, aged 16, 18 and 20, were arrested today (Monday) at an outstation north of Alice Springs. They are expected to be interviewed later today.  
 
Police have recovered the safe and approximately half of the stolen cash as well as other property, however, the stolen motor vehicle is yet to be recovered.