An out-of-control teen has been arrested in Palmerston and is believed to have been responsible for the terrifying home invasion in Katherine earlier in the week.
The 16-year-old male is alleged to have driven another stolen vehicle into two police cars overnight.
Police caught him after he ran away after colliding with the second police car.
He also tried to escape when police took him to hospital for a check-up.
Police also believe the same teen was responsible for the Katherine crimes.
In Katherine North, a 22-year-old woman woke to find an intruder, now believed to be the teen, in her house at about 1.30am on Monday.
If police have the right person, he has been in trouble with police before.
The youth is alleged to have breached his suspended sentence by removing his monitoring device.
The Katherine woman awoke to see the person, screamed and the intruder fled, police said.
On further investigation, she found her handbag, containing purse, ID, phone and car keys, was missing.
Her car was stolen and was recovered in Darwin yesterday and was not the one used in last night’s police chase.
Police said about 10.30 last night the alleged offender is believed to have stolen a vehicle from a property in Palmerston.
Police started chasing the car about 11pm.
At the intersection of Temple Terrace and Emery Avenue the youth is alleged to have intentionally rammed a police vehicle which resulted in significant damage to both vehicles.
Fortunately, the officer was not injured in the crash however the police vehicle was no longer driveable.
The stolen motor vehicle then collided with a second police vehicle when attempting to leave the scene. The second police vehicle sustained minor damage.
The youth fled the location on foot. He was arrested by police after he was located hiding nearby.
He did not sustain injuries and was conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital for assessment.
While at the hospital, it is alleged he attempted to make another escape from police. He was later deemed fit for custody and conveyed to the Darwin Watch House.
Officers from the Major Crash Unit are investigating the crash.
Acting Superintendent Nathan Finn said police are disappointed that people continue to put lives at risk with this type of offending.
“It is not just the lives of the public which it affects but also those members engaged to protect and serve the community,” he said.
He is expected to be charged later today.
Chris McLennan
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
