Detectives have charged a man following an investigation into a series of armed robberies in Sydney’s south west.
Earlier this year, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad established Strike Force Sealion to investigate a series of armed robberies across the Macarthur region.
The incidents involved a man entering a store – armed with a firearm and on one occasion, a knife – and threatening the employee, demanding cash.
The first incident occurred just before 9.30pm on Friday 28 June 2019 at a service station on Lindesay Street, Campbelltown.
The second incident occurred about 9.15am on Sunday 30 June 2019 at a general store on Hoddle Avenue, Bradbury.
Later the same day (just before 7pm), a liquor store on O’Sullivan Road, Leumeah, was robbed.
The fourth incident occurred about 2pm on Saturday 14 September 2019 at a mixed business on Camden Road, Douglas Park.
The next day (Sunday 15 September 2019), the Lindesay Street service station was robbed just after 11.45pm.
The sixth incident occurred about 9.50pm on Sunday 22 September 2019 at a restaurant on The Parkway, Bradbury.
During the robberies, the man stole a variety of items including cash, tobacco, cigarettes and a mobile phone.
Detectives were also investigating an attempted armed robbery at the Lindsay Street service station on Friday 20 September 2019, where it’s alleged the man attempted to gain entry, kicked a glass door and verbally threatened an employee, before producing a firearm.
When the man was unable to enter, he left the scene empty handed.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives, with assistance from the Tactical Operations Unit, arrested a 25-year-old man outside a home at Bradbury about 12.20pm yesterday (Tuesday 24 September 2019).
Shortly after the arrest, two search warrants were executed at homes at Bradbury, where detectives seized a home-made firearm, ammunition, knuckle dusters, loaded assault rifle magazine, an electronic stun device, an electronic storage device, and clothing.
He was taken to Campbelltown Police Station and charged with 15 offences, including robbery while armed with dangerous weapon (x5), acquire firearm- subject to prohibition order (x6), robbery armed with offensive weapon, be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, possess loaded firearm public place (DV), and attempted robbery while armed with dangerous weapon.
The Bradbury man was refused bail to appear at Campbelltown Local Court today (Wednesday 25 September 2019).
Investigations under Strike Force Sealion are continuing.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Sealion detectives is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
