NT Police has released a description of a man wanted over an unspecified “serious crime”, two days after warning the public not to approach him, and four days after he allegedly broke into a house with a gun that ended with a failed attempt to arrest him by the Territory Response Group.

In a statement on Monday morning, NT Government crime marketing manager Sita Bacher said police were continuing to call for information about 27-year-old Jermaine Shane Austral.

She described Mr Austral as being of Aboriginal appearance, 175cm tall with a solid build, and a prominent “Sandra” tattoo on his right jawline. But police did not release a photo of him.

The release said police believed Mr Austral could “assist with an ongoing investigation” and that he should not to be approached if seen.

Police have not provided the public with information about what crime he is alleged to have committed – outside of the alleged Sunday armed house break-in – or given information about his history of violence.

On Wednesday morning, Acting Assistant Commissioner Matt Hollamby told Mix 104.9 police were looking for Mr Austral over a “very serious crime” that he did not specify.

Police issued a statement just before 2pm Monday, stating they were looking for Mr Austral, who they alleged broke into a Johnston home, armed with a firearm about 2:10pm Sunday, before running away from the scene soon after.

On Monday afternoon they warned the public not to approach Austral if they saw him but did not give a description or release a photo.

The NT Independent was sent photos of police in the TRG’s Bear Cat armoured vehicle, which was reportedly at a house in Moray St, Karama in Darwin’s northern suburbs on Sunday afternoon. There were other photos and accounts of what happened on the Karama Community NT Australia Facebook page

NT Police also did not explain why they had taken 24-hours to inform they public there was a man with a gun on the loose.

In March 2019, Austral was jailed for up to five years, sentenced alongside his criminal sidekick Joshua Davis after he broke out of Alice Springs jail and engaged in a crime spree by stealing a truck from the Aileron roadhouse owner.

He pulled a 30cm knife on a tourist at another roadhouse and smashed this way into another roadhouse with two others, stealing more than $9000 worth of goods, and causing thousands more in damage.

Austral was later arrested in Broken Hill after being the target of a police pursuit, and was extradited to the Territory in January 2017.

Police are asking anyone with information about Mr Austral’s whereabouts to call 131 444, or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.