A 20 year old man who stole alcohol from a café in the Todd Mall, has been arrested following a foot pursuit with off-duty officers in Alice Springs this morning.

At 8:55am the man walked into a café at the northern end of the Todd Mall and allegedly stole a bottle of alcohol.

Strike Force Viper OIC, Detective Senior Sergeant Evan Kelly, a local police prosecutor and two off-duty detectives were at a nearby café when they observed the man running from the café in possession of alcohol.

The off-duty officers pursued the man on-foot down the Todd Mall, throughout the CBD area until the man was arrested by general duties members in the Coles carpark.

The man was taken to the Alice Springs Watch House where he is expected to be charged later today.

Watch Commander Snr Sgt Al Milner said the arrest demonstrated the dedication of members in making Alice Springs a safer place for everyone.

“This is a fine example of the OIC of Strike Force Viper upholding the Viper mandate and pursuing offenders and ensuring they are held responsible for their actions.”