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Four Youths Arrested After Dangerous Top End Vehicle Pursuit - Palmerston, NT
Smart summary
Police allege stolen vehicles and more than 100 litres of fuel were involved in a dangerous overnight crime spree across the Top End.
Four youths have been arrested after police allege they were involved in a dangerous vehicle and fuel theft spree across the Top End, with stolen vehicles reportedly driven at speeds of up to 150km/h and, at times, on the wrong side of the road. The incident began with the alleged theft of two vehicles and later involved more than 100 litres of fuel being taken from service stations. Police described the driving behaviour as extremely reckless because of the potential danger to the youths, police officers and other road users.
Police allege a Toyota Land Cruiser was stolen from a residence in Gunn sometime between Thursday evening and Friday morning. A Toyota Hilux was subsequently reported stolen from Zuccoli on Friday morning. Investigators say both vehicles were later seen at a service station in Berrimah, where occupants allegedly took approximately 55 litres of diesel without paying.
About an hour later, another alleged fuel theft occurred at Coolalinga, where approximately 46 litres of fuel was reportedly taken. The two incidents meant that more than 100 litres of fuel was allegedly stolen during the wider incident. Police said CCTV footage helped investigators establish what had occurred and track the movements of the vehicles.
The stolen vehicles were later spotted travelling south along the Stuart Highway. Members of Strike Force Trident and the Dog Operations Unit became involved in the operation, with police attempting to stop the vehicles. Police allege that instead of stopping, the drivers accelerated and reached speeds of up to 150km/h, with the vehicles also travelling on the incorrect side of the road at times.
Officers continued the pursuit towards Adelaide River. Police eventually deployed tyre spikes against the Land Cruiser, bringing the vehicle to a stop. The two occupants, aged 14 and 16, allegedly fled into nearby bushland. They were arrested approximately two hours later after police conducted searches in the surrounding area.
The second stolen vehicle, the Hilux, reportedly avoided the initial tyre spikes and continued towards Daly River. Police eventually used another tyre-deflation device at about 7:30am, stopping the vehicle. The two occupants, aged 16 and 17, allegedly ran from the vehicle. Investigators reviewed CCTV footage and worked with local contacts before the pair were located at a Daly River property at about 11:45am.
All four youths have now been arrested and charged with various offences. The 14-year-old, who police allege was already on bail, faces charges including breach of bail, driving or using a motor vehicle without consent, driving while never licensed, dangerous driving and theft. The other three youths, aged 16, 16 and 17, have been charged with theft and offences relating to driving or using a motor vehicle without consent.
Police said the alleged behaviour could have resulted in a serious or fatal crash. The investigation is continuing as officers work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the stolen vehicles and fuel thefts.
The arrests bring the immediate pursuit to an end, but the case remains before the legal process. The allegations against the youths have not been proven in court, and each accused person is entitled to the presumption of innocence.
PoliceVehicleVehiclesStolenFuel
Four youths have been arrested after police allege they were involved in a dangerous vehicle and fuel theft spree across the Top End, with stolen vehicles reportedly driven at speeds of up to 150km/h and, at times, on the wrong side of the road. The incident began with the alleged theft of two vehicles and later involved more than 100 litres of fuel being taken from service stations. Police described the driving behaviour as extremely reckless because of the potential danger to the youths, police officers and other road users.
Police allege a Toyota Land Cruiser was stolen from a residence in Gunn sometime between Thursday evening and Friday morning. A Toyota Hilux was subsequently reported stolen from Zuccoli on Friday morning. Investigators say both vehicles were later seen at a service station in Berrimah, where occupants allegedly took approximately 55 litres of diesel without paying.
About an hour later, another alleged fuel theft occurred at Coolalinga, where approximately 46 litres of fuel was reportedly taken. The two incidents meant that more than 100 litres of fuel was allegedly stolen during the wider incident. Police said CCTV footage helped investigators establish what had occurred and track the movements of the vehicles.
The stolen vehicles were later spotted travelling south along the Stuart Highway. Members of Strike Force Trident and the Dog Operations Unit became involved in the operation, with police attempting to stop the vehicles. Police allege that instead of stopping, the drivers accelerated and reached speeds of up to 150km/h, with the vehicles also travelling on the incorrect side of the road at times.
Officers continued the pursuit towards Adelaide River. Police eventually deployed tyre spikes against the Land Cruiser, bringing the vehicle to a stop. The two occupants, aged 14 and 16, allegedly fled into nearby bushland. They were arrested approximately two hours later after police conducted searches in the surrounding area.
The second stolen vehicle, the Hilux, reportedly avoided the initial tyre spikes and continued towards Daly River. Police eventually used another tyre-deflation device at about 7:30am, stopping the vehicle. The two occupants, aged 16 and 17, allegedly ran from the vehicle. Investigators reviewed CCTV footage and worked with local contacts before the pair were located at a Daly River property at about 11:45am.
All four youths have now been arrested and charged with various offences. The 14-year-old, who police allege was already on bail, faces charges including breach of bail, driving or using a motor vehicle without consent, driving while never licensed, dangerous driving and theft. The other three youths, aged 16, 16 and 17, have been charged with theft and offences relating to driving or using a motor vehicle without consent.
Police said the alleged behaviour could have resulted in a serious or fatal crash. The investigation is continuing as officers work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the stolen vehicles and fuel thefts.
The arrests bring the immediate pursuit to an end, but the case remains before the legal process. The allegations against the youths have not been proven in court, and each accused person is entitled to the presumption of innocence.
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