Three teens have been arrested over the theft of a car from Alawa on Thursday, which police said was later being driven “towards Katherine” before being abandoned after police tried to intercept the trio.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Bland said in a statement that about 3:20am Thursday, a Toyota Rav4 was stolen from a Hurtle Street, Alawa house and later that morning, investigators saw the vehicle travelling along the Stuart Hwy towards Katherine.

In an account lacking significant detail, he said Strike Force Cerberus investigators, along with local general duties officers, went to intercept the car, which they located abandoned with the three teens allegedly running into nearby bushland.

He said police established a cordon, and after a short chase on foot, all three were arrested without incident.

Snr Sgt Bland did not say where along the Stuart Hwy on the way to Katherine the kids were caught.

He did say electronic monitoring allegedly identified a 14-year-old female at the Alawa house at the time of the alleged offence.

A 15-year-old girl was charged with aggravated unlawful entry, aggravated unlawful use of a motor vehicle, stealing, and a serious breach of bail, and she was remanded to appear in court on Friday, he said.

Sgt Bland said a 17-year-old boy was charged with damage to property, and serious breach of bail, and was also remanded to appear in court on Friday.

A 14-year-old girl was released pending further investigation, he said.

“Investigations are continuing and police expect further charges to be laid once forensic work is completed,” Snr Sgt Bland said.