Police arrest 15 youths over mini crime wave

Five of the youth were arrested after the weekend's rampage which saw multiple businesses raided and vandalised, plus three schools were broken into as well.

Five had been arrested for crimes reported earlier than the weekend.

A further five handed themselves in at the police station.

Police said they had "presented to the Katherine Police Station voluntarily and all were deemed suitable for Youth Diversion".

The young crime gang is believed to have been responsible for a vehicle fire on Lockheed Street on the weekend, with police observing them running from the fire.

Police said the five youth were caught after a short foot chase, the youths aged 11 – 13 were released for youth diversion in accordance with the Youth Justice Act.

A home was also broken into on Sunday, with the thief gaining entry through an unlocked door before stealing two mobile phones and wallet.

Police were able to recover both phones after the victim used the ‘Find My Phone’ app. No arrests were made at the request of the victim.

Earlier on Saturday night, unknown youths unlawfully entered a storage area at the Katherine Country Club club, stealing cans of spray paint and other items.

The spray paint was used to graffiti property at the premises and a number of the cans are now undergoing forensic examination.

Thieves stole ice creams from a takeaway shop on the weekend.

Volunteers at Territory Craft woke on Sunday morning their space had been vandalised beyond recognition.

The year-long police response to the rise in crime is Operation Pelion.

Police said 35 unlawful entries have been investigated since the operation began on February 4.

Superintendent Daniel Shean said repeat victim engagement has highlighted that more than 30 local businesses are taking up the NT Government’s offer for grant money through Biz Secure.

“If businesses have not yet taken advantage of this offer, it is recommended that they do so,” Supt Shean said.

“A number of the youths had not been arrested before; this resulted in their DNA, fingerprints and photographs being obtained.

“Consequently, they were linked to further unlawful entries not previously cleared on account of the evidence obtained not having a match in the system.

“Where permissible and pursuant to the Youth Justice Act, youth offenders are placed on bail with curfew and non-association conditions.

“Regardless of an individual’s perception of the youth justice system, Katherine Police will continue to enforce the law and hold youths to account for their wrongdoings.

“A number of youth are still wanted for questioning. Some of them do not live in Katherine and Operation Pelion members will be travelling to deal with the persons of interest.”

Supt Shean reiterated the importance of communication within the community and engagement efforts by police.

“If police are not aware of issues, they cannot work toward reducing the issue so this is why we continue to engage with the public and encourage members of the community to report suspicious activity to police.”

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