Police have charged a 22-year-old man with 12 counts of deception after spending more than $1,000 across 12 stores in Alice Springs using stolen credit cards.

Detective Senior Sergeant Rob Jordan said the man and an unknown accomplice obtained one of the stolen credit cards after they broke into a house in Gillen on October 27. It was later revealed that more than $1,000 had already been spent with the cards for different purchases in Alice Springs.

In a separate unlawful entry, police further alleged that the same man stole another credit card at an arts centre on Larapinta Drive on November 6. Nearly $80 had been spent on the card, Sgt Jordan said.

He said CCTV footage was reviewed by Strike Force Viper that helped lead to the man’s arrest after he was was seen allegedly driving a stolen vehicle in the Gillen suburb on Friday night.

Officers used a drone to follow the stolen vehicle and the man was located and arrested at a house in Larapinta. But police did not mention the man’s alleged accomplice.

The man will appear before the Alice Springs Local Court at an undisclosed date to face multiple charges including 12 counts of obtaining benefit by deception, damage to property, going armed in public, and stealing among others.

Meanwhile, Strike Force Viper detectives also apprehended a 12-year-old boy in relation to an alleged attempted unlawful entry of a home in Larapinta on Sunday.

Sgt Jordan said the resident of a home in Larapinta saw four offenders forcefully entering their house and took photos of them then called the police.

Police in the area have arrived on scene and gave chase, apprehending a 12-year-old boy. Three other youth meanwhile remain on the loose.

The boy was taken to the Alice Springs Watch House and charged with one count each of attempted unlawful entry, damage to property, and trespassing on premises.

He will be dealt with under the Youth Justice Act.

“If it wasn’t for the occupant of the house taking good photos of the offender then he may well still be at large,” Sgt Jordan said.

“I encourage anyone having photos of these people breaking the law to provide them to police.”