Northern Territory Police swiftly responded to a vehicle theft report overnight, resulting in the apprehension of 5 offenders and the recovery of the stolen vehicle.
Shortly before 7pm, a victim walked into the Alice Springs Police Station, reporting the theft of their vehicle from Todd Street. The stolen vehicle, a blue Toyota Yaris, was already under the watchful eye of the local police, who had received numerous reports from the public about the vehicle being occupied by several youths.
The situation escalated when the stolen motor vehicle was sighted in the central business district, engaging in dangerous activities such as burnouts on Council Lawns and on Stott Terrace. Despite several attempts to deploy Tyre Deflation Devices (TDD) to stop the vehicle, the offenders managed to evade police.
The vehicle was cornered by police on the northern end of Bloomfield Street. A strategic cordon and containment were established, with TDD sites preventing the SMV from leaving the area. The vehicle attempted to cross railway tracks, becoming stuck in the process.
Quick thinking by the police led to the arrest of 5 offenders as they fled on foot across Telegraph Terrace. Two male youths aged 13 and 14 were arrested, while three male youths aged between 11 and 13 were safely conveyed to their homes and placed in the care of responsible adults.
The incident also involved collaboration with Australian Southern Railway, as the police promptly notified them of the track blockage caused by the vehicle.
The stolen vehicle was towed to a secure compound for forensic examination, and investigations are ongoing.
