Two men charged as part of investigations into string of supermarket robberies, NSW

Two men are before the courts after being charged as part of ongoing investigations into multiple supermarket robberies across the Sydney metropolitan area.

Earlier this month, the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad established Strike Force Holmhale to investigate several aggravated break and enters in various suburbs across Sydney.

As part of ongoing inquiries, strike force investigators, assisted by the Dog Unit, attended Hannah Street, Beecroft at 1.30am yesterday (Sunday 21 June 2020).

A short time later, two men wearing balaclavas were seen exiting a nearby shopping plaza, in possession of two wrecking bars and 350 packets of cigarettes.

Following a short struggle, two men – aged 36 and 37 – were arrested by police.

The older man suffered a laceration to his head during the arrest and was taken to Ryde Hospital for treatment before he was released into police custody later in the day.

Both men were taken to Ryde Police Station and charged with aggravated break and enter etc in company steal and disguised with intent to commit indictable offence.

About 9.10am on Sunday, a subsequent search warrant was executed at a home in North Parramatta where officers seized mobile devices, sim cards, clothing and packets of cigarette packets.

It will be alleged in court that the pair attended the Beecroft shopping centre on Saturday (20 June 2020), before returning in the early hours of Sunday morning to break into the supermarket and steal cigarettes.

Both men were refused bail.

The younger man faced Parramatta Local Court yesterday, where he was formally bail refused to re-appear at the same court on Wednesday (24 June 2020).

The other man will face Burwood Local Court today (Monday 22 June 2020).

Investigations under Strike Force Holmhale are continuing.

Anyone with information that may assist strike force detectives is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.

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