Terrifying moment gang of seven brazen youths break into a country club and go on a rampage as staff members lock themselves inside the office - after robbing a nearby vet, stealing a car and drugs meant for animals
Startling CCTV footage has emerged of the terrifying moment a gang of youths broke into a country club during an early morning rampage that forced frightened staff to lock themselves in an office.
Police believe the males hit another business in the Northern Territory town of Katherine shortly before the break-in early on Monday morning, forcing their way into a vet clinic and stealing a car and a safe full of dangerous drugs.
Police say the group are known to them.
Extensive CCTV from Katherine Country Club obtained by the NT News captured the attempted robbery which caused at least $6,000 worth of damage within minutes.
Two Katherine Country Club employees locked themselves in a office after a gang of youths attempted to break into the club early on Monday morning
The footage shows the youths entering the club car park in a white ute shortly before 5.30am on Monday.
They spent some time looking through the front windows before jumping a fence to access the rear of the building, where they're captured trying to smash a CCTV camera.
The group try to break down the front door and one smashes a CCTV camera.
The footage also shows two terrified staff who lock themselves in an office and grab makeshift weapons in case they need to fend off off the intruders.
The footage ends with the youths fleeing towards a golf course on foot as police arrive on the scene.
The group jumped a fence to try and smash a CCTV camera at the rear of the club
It's the sixth attempted robbery at the county club in the last few months.
'Thankfully our staff that were on premises at the time were unharmed, but shaken,' the club later posted on Facebook.
'A fair bit of damage has been done as you will see from our front door when entering.
'We thank the Katherine Police for their very quick response and help with the matter.'
Club chief executive Matthew Cullen said Monday's incident was the worst of the recent attempted break-ins
'Generally if an alarm goes off they run off but this time they saw a light on, knew staff were there and just didn't seem to care,' he told the NT News.
'They've banged our front door, that'll cost $5000, two cameras they've taken down which are about $400 a piece, smashed louvres, that'll cost labour and time to get it all fixed.'
Police believe the same group also broke into a local vet clinic earlier on Monday between 4am and 5.30am.
The thieves stole a white 2016 Ford Ranger and a dark grey 20 kilogram Lockwood safe containing veterinary drugs which are harmful to humans if taken.
Katherine Country Club has been targeted by attempted burglars for the sixth time in several months
'The drugs are not suitable for humans and could cause death if consumed,' Senior Sergeant Karen Sanderson said in a statement.
Police later confirmed the vehicle and safe since have been found.
None of the animals at the vet clinic at the time were harmed.
Anyone with information about either incident should contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.