Alice in turmoil after violent home invasion

By PETER ROWE

A violent home invasion in the Alice Springs suburb of Larapinta on Wednesday has seen NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and Police Commissioner Michael Murphy fly to the city in response to what Ms Finocchiaro has called “serious, heinous, and escalating violence”.

A baby was seriously injured in the home invasion and flown to Adelaide for urgent treatment.

It is believed the two-month old child received serious head injuries.

As a result police said they may call for Federal assistance in response to a serious escalation of violence in the city.

“We welcome news from federal members of parliament this morning, who have reached out and said that whatever it takes, they will provide support,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

The Chief Minister said the incident was “horrific”. She acknowledged it had caused “great distress” to the family and wider community.

Police allege two youths entered a house on Wednesday where a woman with four children lived.

“The mother was holding a two-month-old child when these perpetrators [allegedly] entered the house,” Detective Superintendent Regional Crime Paul Lawson told a press conference.

“One of them has [allegedly] approached her and threatened her with a weapon.

“He has struck out at her, [allegedly] hitting her and the child.”

The youths, aged 16 and 17, have been arrested charged with aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, unlawfully causing serious harm, aggravated assault and theft.

The pair are due to appear in court on Thursday.