NT Police are warning the public to “remain vigilant” following the second reported case of a woman sexually assaulted while she slept by an unknown intruder, with the most recent incident involving a woman waking up to a man in a balaclava with his hand over her mouth on Wednesday night.

NT Police said it is currently unclear whether the latest incident that occurred in Larrakeyah is connected to a reported incident in Parap on Tuesday night that involved a woman waking to a naked man on top of her in bed.

In both instances, the male intruder fled the scene before police arrived and is still at large.

Police said they received a report around 10:40pm Wednesday night of a male intruder at a unit complex in Larrakeyah involving an alleged “indecent assault”.

The woman allegedly woke to “a hand across her mouth before she pushed the hand away and called for help”, causing the intruder to flee, police said in a statement.

The victim said the man was “neatly dressed in all black, wearing a full-face balaclava mask”. He was described as approximately 190cm tall, slim build, with “tanned skin and long eyelashes”.

Police said when the male also entered a second apartment at the same complex and stole “multiple personal items”.

On Tuesday night, a woman in Parap woke to find a naked male indecently assaulting her at her home and was able to push him off before he stole a camera and fled. The offender in that incident was described as “approximately 20 years of age, slim build, with dark skin and approximately 180cm to 185cm tall”.

“At this stage it is unknown whether the [Larrakeyah] incident is linked to the recent indecent assault that occurred in Parap, however police are investigating all possibilities,” Detective Senior Sergeant Toby Wilson said.

“The nature of these incidents are understandably concerning to the community.”

Police have urged the public to take safety precautions such as securing doors and windows where possible and to report any suspicious activity to police.

“NT Police Force takes these matters extremely seriously, and the Sex Crimes Section are working closely with Strike Force Trident, CCTV operators and other police units and agencies to identify the offenders and bring them before the courts,” Snr Sgt Wilson said.

Police said at a press conference later on Thursday that they attended a Ludmilla residence where they found some items from the Parap residence, leading them to “identify some persons of interest in relation to that matter”.

Snr Sgt Wilson said police would be “conducting a range of activities around the city areas out to Parap and continue proactive patrols by general duties…to provide some reassurance and also try to identify any persons of interest”.

“Police urge anyone who has information about the incident or CCTV in the area to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference P25157813. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.”