Police say a woman was allegedly bashed over the head in a “traumatising” attack as three men smashed into an Alice Springs home.
Northern Territory police were called to the East Side property shortly before 4am on Sunday after reports of an armed home invasion.
Duty Superintendent Tanya Woodcock said the alleged incident was “particularly violent” and called for information or CCTV around Bougainvilia Ave to be shared with police.
“This was a particularly violent attack and would have been deeply traumatising for the victims,” she said.
Police believe three men “smashed” their way into the home with an axe before a woman was allegedly struck in the head multiple times with a baton.
Residents of the home allegedly retreated into a bedroom as the men ransacked the property for about 20 minutes before leaving, according to a NT Police spokesman.
“The offenders returned to the residence a short time later and demanded the residents leave the bedroom before smashing in the door with the axe and stealing jewellery, a laptop and a quantity of cash,” he said.
The alleged incident is said to have occurred just days before a youth curfew, introduced on March 27 after a spate of violence rocked the community, ends on Tuesday.
Chief Minister Eva Lawler said 25 additional police officers would maintain a presence in the town until the end of June.
Anyone with information has been urged to contact police on 131 444.