Two men will face court today charged as part of an investigation into five armed robberies across Sydney’s south west.
About 11.50pm on Sunday 7 April 2019, a man, armed with a firearm, threatened two employees at a sports club on Elizabeth Drive, Bonnyrigg Heights, before stealing cash.
In separate incidents, a man, armed with a firearm, entered a service station on Cabramatta Road West, Bonnyrigg, just after 3.30am on Sunday 21 April 2019 and again at 4.30am on Tuesday 30 April 2019.
On both occasions, the man threatened the employee and stole cash.
About 10.15pm on Sunday 5 May 2019, a man entered a fast food restaurant on Edensor Road, Edensor Park, jumped the counter and threatened two staff members with a firearm, demanding cash.
The employees ran from the store and the armed man left empty handed.
Just before 8pm on Thursday 16 May 2019, an armed man entered a liquor store on Elizabeth Drive at Bonnyrigg and threatened staff before stealing cash.
No one was injured in these five robberies.
The State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad took carriage of these investigations under Strike Force Flavel.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force investigators, with the assistance of specialist tactical officers, arrested a 24-year-old man at a home in Edensor Park just after 12pm yesterday (Wednesday 5 June 2019).
Shortly after, detectives executed search warrants at the property and another home in Canley Vale, where a second man, aged 26, was arrested.
Investigators located three firearms and other items relevant to the investigation, which were seized to undergo forensic examination.
Both men were taken to Cabramatta Police Station.
The 24-year-old man was charged with four counts of robbery while armed with dangerous weapon, assault with intent to rob while armed with dangerous weapon, and two counts of possess shortened firearm without authority.
The 26-year-old man was charged possess unregistered firearm, possess unauthorised pistol, possess ammunition without holding licence, not keep firearm safely – not prohibited firearm, and not keep firearm safely – pistol.
The pair were refused bail to appear at Fairfield Local Court today (Thursday 6 June 2019).
Investigations under Strike Force Flavel are continuing.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Flavel investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
