A man will face court today charged with robbing a taxi driver in the state’s south west earlier this week.
About 9pm Tuesday (21 April 2020), a taxi driver attended an address in Tolland and picked up two men, before travelling to Mount Austin.
During the trip, the men allegedly directed the driver to stop at a bus stop at the intersection of Heath Street and Fernleigh Road.
The two passengers allegedly produced knives and demanded cash and a mobile phone from the taxi driver. The driver complied and was told to exit the vehicle.
The two men then allegedly stole the taxi and drove in a northerly direction before abandoning the cab on Blamey Street, Turvey Park.
The taxi driver was not physically injured as a result of the incident.
Officers from Riverina Police District attended and seized the taxi for forensic examination.
Following extensive inquiries, officers attended a home in Mount Austin about 11.40am yesterday (Thursday 23 April 2020), and executed a search warrant, seizing a number of items.
A 20-year-old man was arrested and taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station, where he was charged with aggravated take/drive motor vehicle with person in it – armed with weapon, robbery armed with offensive weapon and never licensed person drive vehicle on road.
He was refused bail and is due to face Wagga Wagga Local Court today (Friday 24 April 2020).
Inquiries are continuing to locate the second man.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
