Intruder on the run after allegedly breaking into RAAF base in Darwin and assaulting defence force member

Key facts

• An intruder allegedly broke into RAAF Base Darwin on Monday afternoon.
• The intruder allegedly assaulted a Defence Force member.
• A white Ford Ranger vehicle was stolen from the base.
• Police pursued the stolen vehicle but lost sight of it.
• The incident prompted a lockdown of the RAAF base.

An intruder is on the run after allegedly breaking into the Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, assaulting a defence force member, and stealing a vehicle on Monday afternoon. Defence confirmed that a person "unlawfully gained access" to the base in Winnellie. Security personnel, military police, and both Northern Territory and Australian Federal Police responded to the incident, implementing lockdown procedures. The individual allegedly assaulted a Defence Force member before leaving the base in a stolen white Ford Ranger. Northern Territory Police initiated a pursuit of the vehicle after it was sighted travelling south on the Stuart Highway, but the pursuit was called off near Palmerston when officers lost sight of it. Investigations are ongoing, and the offender has not yet been identified. The base is currently undergoing upgrades worth approximately $160 million, aimed at enhancing security, with construction expected to be completed by mid-2027. This incident follows a previous lockdown at the base in early August, which was attributed to a training exercise.