An intruder remains at large after allegedly forcing their way onto a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base in Darwin, assaulting a defence force member, and fleeing in a stolen car. Defence confirmed that on Monday afternoon, a person "unlawfully gained access" to the base in the suburb of Winnellie.
RAAF Darwin security, the Joint Military Police Unit, Northern Territory Police, and Australian Federal Police responded, implementing base lockdown procedures. Defence stated that the individual allegedly assaulted a Defence Force member before leaving the base in a stolen vehicle.
Northern Territory police, who are leading the investigation, confirmed they responded to the incident around 4:30pm on Monday. The person was last seen travelling in the stolen car about 15km from the base. Police later sighted the vehicle, a white Ford Ranger, travelling south on the Stuart Highway and commenced a pursuit, which was called off near Palmerston after officers lost sight of it. The offender has not yet been identified, and investigations are continuing.