A man has been charged with aggravated assault after he allegedly attacked a woman in a shopping centre car park in Alice Springs, NT Police have said.

Acting Superintendent Rob Engels said in a statement that on Monday about 3pm a 35-year-old woman was walking into a shopping centre when the 21-year-old man allegedly assaulted her.

“The woman suffered bruising and pain as a result of the assault and later reported it to police,” he said.

“Investigating officers identified the man, who was located yesterday walking along the Stuart Hwy south of the Gap.”

Supt Engels said the man was charged with aggravated assault and remanded to appear in Alice Springs Local Court on Thursday.

He thanked members of the public for help identifying the man.