Police in the Northern Territory have taken three young boys into custody following a string of alleged burglaries and acts of property damage in the town of Katherine earlier this week. The arrests of two nine-year-olds and one ten-year-old have highlighted a rare case of youth crime involving primary school-aged children.
A Series of Overnight Incidents
The alleged crime spree began on the evening of Monday, December 29. According to police, a group of seven suspects broke into a facility located on the Stuart Highway. During this incident, doors were damaged and two sets of keys were stolen. Authorities have since recovered some of the stolen keys.
The activity continued into the early hours of Tuesday, December 30. Between 2am and 4am, three boys allegedly entered a fast-food restaurant on First Street, where they caused significant damage. Shortly after, around 4.15am, the same group is believed to have broken into another facility on the corner of Lindsay Street and Katherine Terrace, again fleeing after causing substantial damage.
School Targeted in Morning Break-In
The spree extended into the morning hours. At approximately 7.40am on Tuesday, police were called to a secondary school on Chambers Drive after the campus alarm was activated. School staff reported that a group of boys had entered the grounds, damaged several doors, and stolen cash from a donation box. Police later recovered a portion of the stolen money.
Arrests and Ongoing Investigations
Following the incidents, three boys were arrested. The 10-year-old boy has been charged with two counts of aggravated burglary. The two nine-year-olds will be dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act 2005. Police are still searching for the four other suspects believed to be involved in the initial break-in.
While youth crime is a known issue in Katherine, a regional town with a population of roughly 10,000 people, offences involving children this young are extremely uncommon. Most incidents typically involve teenagers.
Investigations into the full series of events are ongoing. Northern Territory Police are urging anyone with information that could assist to come forward. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
