Police are searching for a man after a white Ford Ranger was stolen from RAAF Base Darwin following an alleged assault on a security officer.
The incident prompted a lockdown at the defence base after the man allegedly entered the site at about 4.30pm on Monday. He approached the vehicle shortly afterwards as two security officers got out.
Police said the man climbed into the Ford Ranger and assaulted one of the officers when challenged. He then fled in the vehicle despite the lockdown being put in place.
The stolen vehicle was later seen travelling south on the Stuart Highway, prompting a police pursuit. Officers called off the chase after losing sight of it near Palmerston, about 20km south of Darwin.
Detectives believe the Ranger was involved in a fuel drive-off at Coolalinga and a theft at Zuccoli at about 4am on Tuesday. Three people were reportedly in the vehicle at the time.
Police said a number of offenders had been identified as the investigation continued.
Defence confirmed that someone had unlawfully entered RAAF Base Darwin on Monday afternoon.
“RAAF Darwin security, the Joint Military Police Unit, Northern Territory Police and Australian Federal Police responded, and base lockdown procedures and protocols were implemented,” it said in a statement.
“The individual allegedly assaulted a Defence Force member and proceeded to leave the base in a stolen vehicle.”
