Investigators have charged a third man as inquiries continue into three separate armed robberies at businesses across Sydney’s inner and south-west earlier this year.
Detectives from the Robbery and Serious Crime Squad established Strike Force Profert to investigate three alleged armed robberies at businesses in Canterbury, Hurlstone Park and Wiley Park on Sunday 3 January 2021 and Monday 4 January 2021.
The incidents include –
- About 4.40am on Sunday 3 January 2021, three men – armed with knives and a firearm – entered a licenced premise at the intersection of Canterbury Road and Tincomb Street, Canterbury. The men threatened employees and patrons, before stealing cash from a number of poker machines and fleeing the area. Officers from Burwood Police Area Command were contacted and conducted initial inquiries. The employee was not physically injured during the incident.
- About 2.40am on Monday 4 January 2021, a man – armed with a firearm – entered a convenience store at New Canterbury Road at Hurlstone Park. The man threatened an employee before stealing cash and cigarettes and fleeing the area. Officers from Burwood Police Area Command were contacted and conducted initial inquiries. The employee was not physically injured during the incident.
- Just after 7am on Monday 4 January 2021, two men – armed with a knife and a firearm – entered a service station at Punchbowl Road, Wiley Park. The men threatened a 45-year-old male employee, before stealing cash and cigarettes. The men also took the employee’s watch, before returning it, and leaving the area. Officers from Campsie Police Area Command were contacted and conducted initial inquiries. The employee was not physically injured during the incident.
Following the release of CCTV, a public appeal for information and extensive investigations, strike force detectives, arrested a 30-year-old Glebe man at a home at Coffs Harbour in February this year. He was charged over his alleged role in the three incidents and remains before the courts.
As part of ongoing inquiries, detectives arrested a 22-year-old Glebe man at Newcastle Police Station on Tuesday 27 April 2021. He was subsequently charged with robbery while armed with dangerous weapon and possess unauthorised pistol.
Police will allege in court that the man was involved in the incident at Wiley Park.
He appeared at Newcastle Local Court the same day, where he was refused bail to reappear at Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday 23 June 2021.
Following further investigations, a 38-year-old man was arrested at Wagga Wagga Police Station just before 10am yesterday (Wednesday 16 June 2021).
He was charged with robbery while armed with dangerous weapon and acquire pistol subject to firearms prohibition order.
Police will allege in court that the man was involved in the incident at Canterbury.
The Junee man was refused bail to appear at Wagga Wagga Local Court today (Thursday 17 June 2021).
As investigation under Strike Force Profert are continuing, police are appealing for anyone with information about the incident at Canterbury on Sunday 3 January 2021 to come forward.
Police would like to speak with a man, described as wearing a grey-hooded jumper and black and orange ASIC shoes, who may be able to assist investigations.
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. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
