Violence has erupted in Alice Springs overnight as police arrested the man who allegedly abducted a five-year-old girl whose body was discovered on Thursday.

Anger at the girl’s alleged kidnapping and death boiled over when ex-prisoner Jefferson Lewis, 47, was tracked down and apprehended late Thursday night.

He was discovered at Charles Creek Camp by a group of “vigilantes” who allegedly beat up Lewis before calling police, according to media reports.

Videos online show what looks like Lewis lying crumpled on the ground as police arrive to arrest him and transport him to Alice Springs Hospital, with unknown injuries.

Locals gathered outside the hospital and chanted for justice and for police to allow “payback” — a form in Indigenous punishment.

Some shouted for Lewis to be killed.

A police vehicle was set alight outside the hospital, rocks were hurled and officers deployed tear gas.

The family has requested the deceased girl be referred to as Kumanjayi Little Baby.

NT Police faced angry locals on the streets of Alice Springs on Thursday night. Photo: AAP

Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole told ABC radio on Friday morning that Lewis had identified himself to locals at the Charles Creek Camp.

He said a crowd went to the camp to impose a traditional form of “payback” justice.

However, there was anger when Police apprehended Lewis and took him away, with locals turning their anger towards officers.

Dole said Lewis was eventually moved to Darwin, where he remains in custody.

The search for Lewis had intensified following the discovery of a child’s body about five kilometres from where a Kumanjayi Little Baby disappeared at the weekend.

Police said it was believed to be that of the missing five-year-old.

Earlier on Thursday, police addressed the girl’s accused abductor and killer.

“We’re coming for you,” Northern Territory Police Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley said.

The girl vanished on Saturday night, after being put to bed at a home in the Old Timers camp near Alice Springs

Lewis is accused of abducting her, just six days after his release from prison.

It sparked one of the NT’s largest investigations with almost 200 people scouring harsh desert country for the non-verbal girl and Lewis.

The child’s body was found about noon on Thursday, on day five of the search.

Police said earlier that a pair of children’s underwear found during the investigation had been linked by forensic analysis to both Lewis and the girl.

Police are adamant Lewis had been helped by people in the community and remained in the Alice Springs area.

“To the family of Jefferson Lewis: we believe he has murdered this child — do not assist him,” Malley said.

“Get him to the police station and we’ll look after him.”

People gather outside Alice Springs Hospital after the suspect’s arrest. Photo: Facebook

Lewis was sentenced to 64 months in prison, between 2016 and 2025, for offences including aggravated assaults, breaching domestic violence orders, bail and resisting police.

NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro did not rule out a reward or policy response as police hunted Lewis, after leading condolences for the girl’s heartbroken family.

“Everything is on the table. We will be led by the police investigation,” she said.

“A poor young lady has passed away, and the police are now doing the work to stop this happening again, to make sure that the person who did this is caught.”

Police said an autopsy, expected to be conducted within days, would be crucial in determining the cause and timing of the girl’s death.

The coronial process kicked off as the five-year-old’s family reeled from the tragedy. Kumanjayi Little Baby’s devastated family paid tribute to their beloved girl, thanking everyone who took part in the search.

“I know you are in heaven with the rest of the family,” her mother said in a statement.

“Me and your brother will meet you one day. We are giving our lives to Jesus.

“It’s going to be so hard to live the rest of our lives without you.”

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-with AAP