A adult male and a child have been arrested and charged after a botched attempt to break in and steal from a bar in Alice Springs on Saturday, NT Police said.

Authorities said police CCTV operators saw the incident in progress around 4:40am and immediately deployed officers to the location. They did not give details on the exact place in Alice Springs or what establishment was targeted.

Police said the CCTV footage showed a man attempting to force entry into the business.

He was then seen turning to speak with a youth who subsequently joined him in smashing the glass doors.

The man left the scene while the youth continued to smash the glass doors, police said.

The teenager then attempted to flee the scene when police arrived.

Police did not mention if there was anything stolen from the store.

NT Police said they located the 20-year-old man a few minutes after he attempted to break in the store.
He remains in police custody and has been charged with damage to property, recruiting a child, and unlawful entry.

The 14-year-old boy meanwhile was located after a few hours and charged with unlawful entry and criminal damage.

Police also allege that he was involved in a separate incident on Friday. He was additionally charged with unlawful entry, stealing, and criminal damage.

Both are scheduled to appear in court Monday, February 14.

Detective Senior Sergeant Evan Kelly lauded Police CCTV operators who promptly flagged the incident.

“Thanks to the Police CCTV operators who observed this incident, police were able to attend the scene within minutes and arrest the offenders,” Snr Sgt Kelly said.

The timing of the police statement about CCTV footage leading to an arrest in Alice Springs is curious.

Last week, the Opposition CLP proposed implementing a CCTV monitoring trial program for Alice Springs that is currently in use in Ipswich, where criminal incidents are flagged, and police alerted to potential crimes in real time by dedicated CCTV operators based in Alice Springs.

However, the idea was actually first floated by Alice Springs Town Council. It’s unclear if the government or NT Police will adopt the idea.