Darwin boys arrested over joyride

Two Darwin teenagers accused of car theft and joyriding have been arrested by police after dumping the vehicle in a ditch.

It's alleged the pair smashed a car window and took some keys and a handbag in the city's north on Tuesday morning. They then stole another car, crashing it into the first as they drove off.

Police say the boys headed for Darwin's outskirts before driving into a ditch and abandoning the car.

Officers chased them on foot, eventually arresting them in Palmerston.

The 13-year-old has been charged with damaging property, stealing, aggravated unlawful use of a motor vehicle and breaching bail.

The 16-year-old faces two counts of property damage, stealing, aggravated unlawful use of a motor vehicle and driving without a licence.

Both boys are being held in custody to appear in Darwin Youth Justice Court next week.