Media release

Property offences – East Arnhem region

Police

Northern Territory Police have charged a 19-year-old male with property offences following an unlawful entry of an unoccupied residence in an East Arnhem community.

Sometime between 21 December 2020 and 26 January 2021, the residence was unlawfully entered, ransacked and property stolen, including a firearm and ammunition.

Officers sought information from the community and as a result, located the firearm a couple of hours later.

The male was charged with:

  • unlawful entry of a dwelling
  • stealing
  • criminal damage
  • possession of a firearm while unlicensed

Senior Sergeant Tanya Woodcock said, “It is heartening that members of our community recognised the potential harm in this situation and supported their local police to achieve a quick resolution.

“We ask that all firearms owners take particular care with the storage of firearms, and suggest that keys for gun safes are stored in an alternative location if they’re out of town.”

The 19-year-old has been remanded in custody to appear in Darwin Local Court on Friday 29 January 2021.