Three teenagers and a 12-year-old have been arrested for breaking into a Tennant Creek house, with one alleged offender still on the run, while the day before, two other men who are still on the run, broke into the same house and stole cigarettes and alcohol, NT Police said.

Superintendent Mark Grieve said in a statement that about 4:30am on Friday, two men armed with timber and sticks threatened the only resident of a house on Casey Street, Tennant Creek, before breaking in and stealing alcohol and cigarettes.

He said during a fight inside the house the male victim managed to take one of the pieces of timber, suffering a minor cut to his right arm.

Both offenders left.

Police said witness’s statements indicated “a pattern of behaviour was occurring” in the area and police began monitoring the street and surrounds.

Supt Grieve said that at 3:50am on Saturday, up to five offenders broke into the same house and stole unspecified property before attempting to get away. However police quickly set up a cordon in the area and arrested a 12-year-old boy, a 13-year-old boy, and 19-year-old man.

He said a 14-year-old boy was arrested later that day but he did not give information about the fifth person or why police were able to set up the cordon at 3.50am.

There was no mention of any charges.

“These arrests were once again the result of fantastic proactive work from the attending members. The community can rest assured we will be relentless in identifying and doing all we can to hold these offenders accountable for their actions,” he said.