A 17-year-old has been charged after allegedly stealing a safe from a Palmerston business by wheeling it out with two others on a trolley, before having to dump it in the rough on a golf course because of trolley traction problems, and then attempting to break into another business, NT Police said.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Bland said in a statement that about 1:30am Sunday, three people allegedly broke into a University Avenue Durack business, and stole a number of items, including a large safe placed on top of a trolley.

“The offenders had difficulties trying to wheel the safe across the golf course and ended up leaving it in the rough before attempting to unlawfully enter another business,” he said.

“Upon police arrival all three offenders fled the scene.”

Snr Sgt Bland alleged Strike Force Trident identified the 17-year-old from CCTV in the area, and he was arrested at an unspecified day, and charged with possessing a housebreaking implement, stealing, two counts of damage to property, two counts of unlawfully entering a building

Police are asking for any residents in the area with CCTV footage facing toward the golf course to call them on 131 444.