Youths who went joyriding in a stolen car then tried to break into a man’s house caught after he chased them in his HELICOPTER and alerted police 

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Six children who allegedly attempted to break into a home got the shock of their lives when the resident jumped into his helicopter and pursued them from the air.

Northern Territory police said the series of alleged crimes began early on Friday morning when four boys and two girls - aged between nine and 14 - stole a Mazda 2 hatchback in Palmerston, 20km east of Darwin.

‘The vehicle was then driven out to Noonamah by a number of youths, where it was set alight near Jenkins road, resulting in a small scrub fire,’ Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Stringer said.

This Mazda 2 hatchback was allegedly stolen from a home in Palmerston, in the Northern Territory, taken on a joyride and set alight.

Noonamah is 22km south of Palmerston.

The youths then allegedly attempted to break into a property in Noonamah, but had alerted the attention of a male resident who contacted police.

The man, who owns a helicopter, jumped into his chopper and pursued the youths as they fled into scrubland.

‘Police attended and with the help of his eyes in the sky, all six youths were apprehended,’ Snr Sgt Stringer said.

The youths were assisting police with their investigation on Friday night, the ABC reported.

Charges are expected at a later date. 

When six youths allegedly attempted to break into a home, the resident jumped in his helicopter and chased them from the air (stock image)

Palmerston (pictured) - where the series of events allegedly began - lies 20km east of Darwin, the Northern Territory's capital city