Two drunk teenagers have broken into a tourist attraction in the centre of Darwin and taunted a crocodile that became world famous after a star turn in Crocodile Dundee.

The pair, who NT Police Duty Superintendent Del Jones described as being “a tad intoxicated”, were discovered at Crocosaurus Cove in Mitchell Street early Sunday morning.

“About 4am we received a call from the security guard … he, God bless his cotton socks, gave chase and the two suspects decamped,” Superintendent Jones said.

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Upon a survey of the premises, it was discovered items had been thrown into the enclosure of Burt, the 5.1 metre, 80-year-old crocodile that featured in a scene in the movie Crocodile Dundee.

Burt is now a star attraction at Crocosaurus Cove.

The items were not received well by the cranky croc, especially a pink buoy.

“Burt didn’t like that, he destroyed it,” Superintendent Jones said.

A “wet floor” sign was also thrown in and chewed up by the bothered beast.

Burt, a saltwater crocodile that weighs in at over 700kg, is described at the park as “a confirmed bachelor with one hell of a grumpy attitude”.

Crocosaurus Cove lists Burt as “our oldest and famous resident”.

“He has starred alongside Paul Hogan and Linda Kozlowski in the original Crocodile Dundee movie as well as providing the basis for the digital crocodile in the film Rogue,” the attraction says.

Superintendent Jones said the two suspects jumped a side wall at the park to escape into the CBD area, but were chased down by officers from a Metropolitan Group Patrol after what she said was a “short foot chase”.

She said the two suspects had spent the night in the cells in Darwin and were due to be questioned today.

Superintendent Jones described their alleged behaviour as “extremely foolish” and offered advice for anyone else thinking of breaking in to where crocodile are kept.

“Don’t do it, not only is it dangerous, it is criminal behaviour,” she said.

The scene from the 1986 film, which featured a blend of live footage of Burt and an animatronic crocodile, was set in the Northern Territory outback and catapulted Burt to stardom.

Burt has been in captivity for over 30 years and has also starred in documentaries and awareness programs.

– ABC