Up to ten people who drove to Palumpa in three stolen vehicles, broke into community’s store and caused extensive damage, and stole property, with a combined damage and theft value of about $10,000, NT Police said.

NT government crime marketing manager Sita Bacher said in a statement that at an unspecified time in the “early hours” of Tuesday morning, about ten offenders, who police believe were youths and young adults, were reported breaking into the store. She said the group arrived in three stolen vehicles.

Ms Bacher said police from Peppimenarti were “recalled” and found the offenders had caused extensive damage, and stole property, with a combined damage and theft value of about $10,000.

“During the response, attending members successfully recovered one stolen motor vehicle that was reported stolen from Darwin over the previous weekend. The two other stolen vehicles fled the scene,” she said.

Ms Bacher said police were reviewing CCTV footage, and believed the offenders were from the Wadeye region.

Anyone with information, including those who witnessed the vehicles around the area, is urged to phone police on 131 444.