NT Police have arrested all three fugitives who sparked a five-day manhunt after cutting off their monitoring bracelets and fleeing a Barkly work camp last Saturday, following “a targeted operation” in Tennant Creek last night, police said.

The inmates had been on the run since Saturday night, with police initially suggesting they were headed for Darwin, but ultimately spending most of the week searching around Tennant Creek, including utilising drones, searching homes and calling on relatives to encourage the men to turn themselves in.

On Thursday afternoon, two of the men, Maximus Cutta and Richard Henwood, were arrested in Tennant Creek, where the inmates had remained after escaping the work camp.

Police issued a statement around 6pm notifying the public of the arrests and calling for the public’s assistance to locate remaining escapee Ezra Austral.

By 9:40pm, police said they had located the 23-year-old in the same community.

“Northern Territory Police have arrested the third escapee, Ezra Austral, following a targeted operation in Tennant Creek tonight,” the statement said.

It did not explain what the “targeted operation” entailed.

“The 23-year-old who had been actively avoiding police apprehension for the past five days was arrested in the township this evening,” the statement said.

“The three men, aged 37, 23 and 20, are currently in custody. NT Police would like to thank the public for their assistance.”

Police had initially set up road blocks on Sunday between Tennant Creek and Katherine and said they had been searching for the trio with all resources available, including utilising the Tactical Response Group, Crime Command and general duty officers.

They had also warned the public this week not to approach the men if seen.