A 17-year-old boy has been arrested after he allegedly broke into a house in Tennant Creek and choked an 85-year-old man and then tried to hit him with a frying pan, NT Police said.

Superintendent Katie Hatzismalis said in a statement that about 7.40am on Saturday, police were told the 17-year-old had allegedly turned up at a house in Ambrose Street in Tennant Creek, armed himself with a frying pan and threatened a 66-year-old woman, demanding money and car keys.

“He obtained keys from the 66-year-old and then attempted to gain entry to the residence, before attempting to access the victim’s car,” Supt Hatzismalis said.

“He allegedly choked the 85-year-old male victim and attempted to strike him with the frying pan, narrowly missing.”

Supt Hatzismalis said a neighbour intervened and the alleged offender ran off.

“This type of offending against vulnerable victims is abhorrent,” Supt Hatzismalis said.

“I acknowledge and commend the excellent work of the officers involved in the investigation and subsequent arrest, and thank the members of the community for their assistance.”

Police said the 17-year-old was found and arrested on Tuesday in Tennant Creek, and he was identified as being the remaining outstanding offender in in a incident where a small truck was stolen and driven on the Queensland border earlier this month.

Supt Hatzismalis said he had been remanded in custody and charged with blackmail and extortion, aggravated robbery, two counts of aggravated burglary, ram raiding, attempted aggravated burglary, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, criminal damage, and theft.