Police have released CCTV, as they investigate four armed robberies in the Illawarra.
In April 2024, Strike Force Coppin was established to investigate armed robberies in the Lake Illawarra and Wollongong Police Districts.
About 11.35pm on Thursday 1 April 2024, police were called to Mowbray Lane, Warrawong following reports of armed robbery.
Officers attached to Lake Illawarra Police District responded and were told a 24-year-old female was riding her bike when she was approached by a male with a knife from behind. He knocked her off her bike before stealing her handbag with a sum of cash. A 25-year-old male tried to intervene, but the man fled over a rear fence in Churchill Avenue, Warrawong.
The woman sustained minor scratches.
In another incident, about 6.45pm on Saturday 20 April 2024, police were called to an armed robbery at a store in Gladstone Avenue Coniston.
The man threatened the 21-year-old male shop attendance with a knife, while a man dressed in a white jumper allegedly took vapes from the counter. The pair fled south on Gladstone Avenue, Coniston.
Officers attached to Wollongong Police District attended and established a crime scene.
A 36-year-old man was charged and remains before the courts.
In another incident, about 10pm on (Tuesday 9 July 2024), police were called to a hotel on Montgomery Avenue, Warrawong following reports of an armed robbery.
Officers attached to Lake Illawarra Police District responded and told a man armed with an axe, threatened the 24-year-old male hotel employee, before fleeing with cash east along Montgomery Avenue towards Shellharbour Road.
Police believe the woman depicted can help with their inquiries. She is described as wearing a black jacket with a fur hood, grey crop top, grey tracksuit pants and white shoes.
In the final incident, about 8pm on Saturday 20 July 2024, police were called to a bottle shop on Princes Highway, Bulli, following reports of an armed robbery.
Wollongong Police District Officers attended and were told a 24-year-old male employee was threatened with a knife by a man, before he stole cash and fled through the back of the store and ran in a northerly direction towards Railway Street, Bulli.
Police are investigating whether the matters are linked and want to speak to the man depicted in the CCTV who they believe can assist with their inquiries.
He is described as Caucasian and approximately 165cm-170cm tall.
Anyone with information is urged to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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.
