A 72-year-old man was threatened by two young males armed with an edged weapon and a shovel who broke into his Alice Springs house and are now on the run. In another incident a police car was rammed by a 14-year-old boy in a stolen car.

Police director of communications Mark Wilton said that about 9pm on Wednesday, police were alerted to two young males breaking into a home on the Stuart Highway in Braitling.

“Reports indicate that the suspects were armed with an edged weapon and a shovel, and they demanded that the 72-year-old resident surrender his keys and wallet,” Mr Wilton said.

“The intruders then rummaged through the residence, taking tobacco before fleeing the scene.”

Police did not give an approximate age or a description of the offenders.

Meanwhile, two 14-year-old boys were arrested after a police vehicle was rammed sometime after 6am on Tuesday in Sadadeen, Commander Mark Grieve said.

He said the red Mahindra SUV was reported stolen from a home in Teatree Court from where the victim reported seeing two offenders driving off at about 5.40am.

At 6am, police CCTV operators saw the car at a Railway Terrace service station located and when police arrived, one of the alleged offenders ran off while the other jumped into the stolen car.

“The driver then accelerated in reverse, crashing into the front of one of the police vehicles before speeding away from the area. While no officers were hurt during the incident, the police vehicle sustained significant damage,” Commander Grieve said.

“A short time later, officers caught up with the passenger after a brief foot chase. Police also detained the driver and have recovered the stolen vehicle.”

Police are asking anyone with information on the home invasion to call them on 131 444 (quote reference NTP2500066918) or to make an anonymous report with Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or the website.