Four people have been arrested following a violent home invasion in Alice Springs where a group of men armed with knives allegedly held a knife to a 72-year-old woman’s throat while demanding cash, cigarettes and alcohol, NT Police said.

Police said the Joint Emergency Services Communications Centre received a report of an aggravated robbery occurring at a residence on Longrove Drive in Araluen around 5:40am on Sunday.

Police reported on Sunday afternoon that five male suspects – all armed with knives – forcibly entered the front door of the home, waking up a 73-year-old male and a 72-year-old female resident, demanding money and booze, while one of the offenders held a knife to the female victim’s throat.

The men stayed at the residence for 30 minutes, police said, while loading up a red Holden Commodore with stolen goods from the couple’s home.

The female victim, who called the police, managed to escape at one point, but was chased through the residence’s rear door by two of the men.

The suspects fled the scene shortly after, driving off in the waiting vehicle.

Police issued an update on Sunday evening, stating that four people had been arrested after the vehicle had been located, including three males aged 24, 29, and 22, as well as a 19-year-old female police allege drove the getaway car.

The four were expected to be charged with aggravated burglary and aggravated robbery. Police did not mention the fifth person in the update.

“Police are still appealing to any witnesses or persons with CCTV or dash cam footage to contact them and quote reference P24067180,” the statement said.

“Police continue to urge the public to immediately contact police if you witness crime or anti-social behaviour on 131 444 or in an emergency to call Triple Zero.”

Meanwhile, detectives from the Major Crash and Criminal Investigation Branch are also urging the public to share any information to aid in their investigation of a fatal crash involving eight males on Friday that resulted in the death of an 18-year-old male.

Detective Senior Sergeant Brendan Lindner said investigations are continuing on the circumstances of the crash and criminal offending leading up to it.

On Sunday, at 2 am, police received a report that a grey Toyota Hilux, registered in South Australia, had been stolen in Palm Place Caravan Park, a rural suburb southeast of Alice Springs. The vehicle was taken through the boom gates of the park before heading onto Ross Highway.

Around 3:40 am, the vehicle flipped over and crashed while doing a right turn onto Railway Terrace from Gregory Terrace.

The 18-year-old male passenger was rushed to Alice Springs Hospital but died due to severe injuries.

“Despite the tragic circumstances of a young man losing his life, very little information has been provided by the public to assist with this investigation, which is disappointing,” Sergeant Linder said.

“Eight young males showed a callous disregard for their critically injured friend and fled the scene, abandoning the 18-year old who was lying on the road in significant pain and unable to move while against the vehicle, which was billowing smoke following the crash.

“Without any doubt, there are a significant number of people in Alice Springs who know the identity of those involved, particularly the driver but also the passengers.”

Information can be provided to police on 131 444 by quoting reference number NTP2400024119 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 00, police said.