A young girl believed to have been abducted was seen moments before her disappearance holding hands with a man recently released from prison.

The search for five-year-old Sharon Granites entered its third day on Tuesday, with police revealing new details.

Sharon was reported missing from her home on Marshall Ct in Old Timers Camp, Alice Springs, about 1.35am on Sunday.

She was last seen by family when she was put to bed about 11.30pm on Saturday.

NT Police said on Tuesday they believe Sharon was led away by 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis, who was seen holding her hand shortly before she disappeared.

Police were called to the town camp that evening, where Lewis was captured on bodycam footage, Acting Commissioner Peter Malley said.

He said Lewis may have consumed alcohol and was “probably under the influence”.

Acting Commander Mark Grieve told media on Monday police suspected the young girl was abducted and are urgently seeking to speak with Lewis.

Lewis is understood to have been staying at the home where Sharon disappeared.

“He currently remains one of the few people who were in Old Timers Camp at the time and who has not made themselves known to police, nor have police been able to locate him,” Grieve said.

Malley said police believe Sharon is still alive but acknowledged the urgency of the search.

“That’s why at this stage our No.1 mission is to find her safe and well,” he said.

“But as you know, as time goes on, the chances of finding her alive and well, reduce, hence the amount of resources we have present here in Alice Springs.”

The Australian Defence Force, major crime unit and fugitive task force have joined NT Police in the search, alongside Aboriginal trackers and about 60 volunteers.

Helicopters, drones, dog units, horses, motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles have been deployed in the search.

Malley described the operation as “one of the biggest investigations we’ve had going for a while”.

Lewis was recently released from prison after serving an 18-month sentence for serious violence-related offences.

Grieve said his prior offending was not related to children, and he is not believed to be closely related to Sharon or her family.

“Considering himself and Sharon went missing at around about the same time, it certainly brings about those suspicious circumstances, and we’d like to speak to him about that,” he said.

“If he is involved, we certainly hope that no harm has come to Sharon.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thanked police and volunteers and expressed hope for a safe outcome.

“This breaks the heart of everyone who hears about this story,” he said on Tuesday.

“We just hope that this little girl is found. We feel for all the people involved.

“Our hope is that this ends well, and I thank the police and volunteers for the work that they’re doing.

“On behalf of all Australians, we want to see a safe return.”

Northern Territory senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price backed police calls for the outback community to come forward with any information they had to help find Sharon.

“This is every parent’s worst nightmare,” she posted on Facebook, saying her thoughts were with the family.

“Police have now issued an updated call for information, confirming extensive searches have been conducted but she has still not been located.

“If you know anything — no matter how small – please come forward … let’s help bring her home.”

Police have released images of Sharon and Lewis as they appeal for public assistance.

Sharon was last seen wearing a dark blue, short-sleeve T-shirt with a white ring stripe around the neck and a white ring stripe around the end of the sleeves, and a pair of black boxer style underwear.

Anyone with information about Sharon’s whereabouts or Lewis is urged to call police.