Northern Territory Police are calling for information in relation to a crime series that occurred across Darwin and the Northern Suburbs.
Around 9:40pm, police received reports that a group of six unknown males with face coverings entered a bottle shop on Buffalo Court and attempted to steal alcohol and cash a register. Staff at the location were threatened with violence by the group, who initially fled with multiple items but discarded them a short distance away when the staff chased them on foot.
Around 9:50pm, police received reports that a group of unknown males had threatened a female with an edged weapon and then pulled her from her vehicle while she was parked in a driveway on Gardens Hill Crescent. The group stole her white Suzuki Vitara and then fled the scene.
Later, the group allegedly attended an address in Malak in search of another 14-year-old male. During the incident a 13-year-old male from the offending group allegedly assaulted the 14-year-old victim with an edged weapon causing significant lacerations to his face before leaving the location in the stolen Suzuki Vitara.
The offender subsequently published images of the offending to social media.
The victim was conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital for treatment in a stable condition.
Police later arrested the 13-year-old at an address in Leanyer and he has since been charged with multiple offences.
At 2:00am the stolen Suzuki Vitara was used to ram raid a business in Jingili, with multiple youths entering inside and stealing cigarettes and other items before fleeing the scene.
At 2:30am, police received further reports that the stolen vehicle had again been used to ram the front doors of another licensed premises on Leanyer Drive. The offenders entered the premises, stole a quantity of alcohol, and fled the location.
At 3:00am the stolen vehicle was observed by Strike Force Trident driving through Anula and a pursuit was initiated. During the pursuit the occupants attempted to ram/did ram Police vehicles and threw bottles of alcohol and other items at Police. Two Police vehicles sustained minor damage after being struck by the stolen vehicle.
Following two TDD deployments the stolen vehicle eventually stopped in Coconut Grove and five offenders were arrested by members from Strike Force Trident, the Dog Operations Unit and General Duties.
All five offenders remain in custody awaiting charges.
Detective Senior Sergeant Dale Motter-Barnard said, "The crimes committed by these individuals are completely unacceptable.
"There is no place for the violence and anti-social behaviour committed by these offenders in our community.
"I want to commend the officers involved for the timely arrest of this group, which no doubt has prevented further offending.
"We will continue to investigate and bring those responsible before the courts."
