Six people have been arrested over joyriding in two stolen cars in Coconut Grove, Berrimah, Palmerston, Marlow’s Lagoon, Coolalinga and Adelaide River overnight, NT Police said.

Commander Kylie Anderson said in a statement that at 2am Thursday three stolen vehicles were “observed” travelling through Marlow Lagoon, Coconut Grove and the “greater Darwin areas”, with Strike Force Trident officers and the dog operations unit deployed to make arrests.

She said a dog operations unit officer in an unmarked police car found one of the stolen motor vehicles, which had mounted the median strip on the Stuart Hwy, Coolalinga.

“The officer pulled up behind the vehicle, the offending vehicle has reversed into the officer’s vehicle, causing damage to the front,” she said.

Commander Anderson said three unspecified people were arrested at the scene.

While, she said, at 6:30am, Adelaide River Police found a second stolen vehicle and arrested three 17-year-old boys.

She said the third stolen vehicle was found abandoned on Flightpath Rd, Berrimah.

Commander Anderson said three unspecified others were arrested in Zuccoli at an unspecified time on Thursday morning, following reports of “suspicious behaviour in Virginia”.

She said all nine remain in custody and are expected to be charged later today.

“These arrests have absolutely prevented a larger crime series from occurring and I commend all officers involved who deployed quickly, recovered 3 stolen vehicles and arrested 9 offenders, all without serious incident,” she said.