NSW police charge man over armed robbery

A man will appear in court today charged over an alleged armed robbery at a tobacconist in Sydney’s west, after an investigating off-duty officer recognised him walking down the street.

Just after 5pm on Tuesday 13 August 2019, officers from Cumberland Police Area Command were called to a tobacconist on Pendle Way, Pendle Hill, following reports of an armed robbery.

Police will allege a man entered the shop armed with a meat cleaver and demanded money and cigarettes from the male employee, before fleeing the scene on foot. No injuries were reported.

A crime scene was established and an investigation into the incident commenced.

About 5pm yesterday (Wednesday 14 August 2019), an off-duty Constable from Cumberland’s Proactive Crime Team was walking along Newman Street, Merrylands, when he recognised a man from CCTV of the armed robbery.

He contacted colleagues and a short time later, a 39-year-old man was arrested and taken to Granville Police Station.

A search warrant was executed at a house on Chetwynd Road, Merrylands, where a number of clothing items were located and seized.

The man was charged with robbery armed with offensive weapon and refused bail to appear before Fairfield Local Court today (Thursday 15 August 2019).

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