Man breaks into RAAF Base Darwin, assaults defence force member and steals vehicle
Posted Tue 15 Sep 2026 at 11:25amTue 15 Sep 2026 at 11:25amTue 15 Sep 2026 at 11:25am
A man who allegedly unlawfully entered a defence base in the Northern Territory, assaulted a defence force member and stole a car is still on the run from police.
In a statement a defence spokesperson said the incident occurred at RAAF Base Darwin yesterday afternoon and “lockdown procedures and protocols were implemented”.
They said RAAF Darwin security, the Joint Military Police Unit, Northern Territory Police and Australian Federal Police attended the incident.
“The individual allegedly assaulted a defence force member and proceeded to leave the base in a stolen vehicle,”
the spokesperson said.
Northern Territory Police confirmed officers responded to a report of a stolen vehicle in Winnellie about 4:30pm yesterday.
Police said officers pursued the car after it was spotted travelling southbound on the Stuart Highway, but officers eventually lost sight of the vehicle.
Police investigations are continuing.
It is the second incident on the base in recent weeks, with a lockdown triggered by a training exercise early last month.
More than half a dozen military and civilian police cars swarmed the base in Winnellie about 9pm on August 4 following reports of a security incident.
Eyewitnesses said the alarm lasted for about an hour, with the word “lockdown” repeatedly broadcasted in an automated message.
In a statement at the time, the Australian Defence Force said the lockdown was the result of “military personnel conducting training with specialist equipment” and it was resolved within half an hour.