Volunteers from the Alice Springs community have joined emergency services in the ongoing search to find a five-year-old girl who police believe may have been abducted from her home on 25 April.
Police are accepting help from members of the public to assist in the urgent search for Sharon, with a steady stream of volunteers arriving at the staging point at the end of Heath Road near the racetrack.
Volunteers are asked to wear appropriate footwear, bring plenty of water, and be prepared to follow police instructions.
They may also need to wait to be deployed by Search and Rescue coordinators.
Sharon was last seen in her bedroom at about 11.30pm on the night of her disappearance.
She was wearing a dark blue short-sleeve T-shirt with a white ring stripe around the neck and sleeve ends, and a pair of black boxer-style underwear.
Around 1.35am on 26 April, police received reports Sharon could not be located at her Marshall Court residence in the Old Timers Camp.
Police allege 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis, who was recently released from prison, was staying at the home at the time of Sharon’s disappearance and may be able to assist with inquiries.
“He is believed to have been in the area around that time and staying at the residence,” Acting Commander Mark Grieve said.
“He remains one of the few people who were at Old Timers Camp at the time and who has not made themselves known to police, nor have police been able to locate him.”
Police said Mr Lewis had been recently released from prison and had a history of assault and domestic violence charges,
The search area has now expanded to 20sqkm, radiating out from Old Timers Camp, with around 60 personnel on foot.
Helicopters, drones, dog units, horses, motorcycles and ATVs remain deployed as the large-scale operation continues.
Tangentyere Council has assisted in coordinating volunteers, alongside Northern Territory Emergency Service crews, volunteer firefighters and NORFORCE personnel.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestoppersnt.com.au.
