Four men have been charged by Robbery and Serious Crimes Squad detectives following an investigation into a string of robberies across Sydney over the last year.
Detectives from the State Crime Command's Robbery and Serious Crime Squad established Strike Force Canberry to investigate several robberies at various businesses between July 2019 and June 2020 across Sydney, including;
- Just before 8.30pm on Monday 1 July 2019, two men – one armed with a knife – allegedly threatened three employees at a chemist on Stockton Avenue, Moorebank, before fleeing the area with cash and prescription medication. No one was physically injured during the incident and officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command commenced inquiries.
- About 10pm on Wednesday 6 November 2019, four men – armed with knives and machetes – entered a chemist on Old Northern Road, Castle Hill. The men allegedly threatened staff and several customers, before stealing cash and prescription medication and leaving the area. No one was physically injured during the incident and officers from The Hills Police Area Command commenced inquiries.
- About 11.50pm on Wednesday 4 December 2019, officers from Bankstown Police Area Command were called to a fast food restaurant on Fairford Road, Padstow, following reports three men had attempted to break the front door. An extensive search of the area was conducted; however, no one was located.
- Just after 11.30pm on Saturday 7 December 2019, two men – one armed with a machete – entered a fast food restaurant on Canterbury Road, Hurlstone Park. The men threatened staff and stole cash before fleeing the area. No one was physically injured during the incident and officers from Burwood Police Area Command commenced inquiries.
- Just after 9pm on Sunday 8 December 2019, two men – one armed with a knife – entered a fast food restaurant at the intersection of Milperra Road and Henry Lawson Drive, Milperra. The men threatened several customers and staff – hitting one female employee in the head and grabbing her hair. The pair then stole cash before leaving the scene. The woman did not require medical assistance and officers from Bankstown Police Area Command commenced inquiries.
- Just before 2.30am on Monday 30 December 2019, three men allegedly assaulted two staff members at a business on Exceller Avenue, Bankstown, and stole cash before leaving the area. Officers from Bankstown Police Area Command conducted a thorough search of the area; however, the men were not located. The two staff members were treated at the scene by paramedics for minor injuries.
- About 7.30pm on Tuesday 30 June 2020, two men – one armed with a knife – threatened two employees at a pharmacy on Shepherds Drive, Cherrybrook, before stealing cash and prescription medication. Officers from Ryde Police Area Command were notified and commenced inquiries.
As part of inquiries, strike force investigators conducted a Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) and Weapons Prohibition Order (WPO) check at a home at Metcalfe Avenue, Moorebank, last Wednesday (29 July 2020).
During the search, officers located and seized a number of items relevant to the investigation.
A 24-year-old man was arrested and taken to Liverpool Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of robbery armed with offensive weapon.
Police will allege in court that the man was involved in the armed robbery at the pharmacy at Cherrybrook in June this year.
He appeared at Liverpool Local Court last Thursday (30 July 2020), where he was formally refused bail to reappear at the same court on Monday 28 September 2020.
Following further extensive investigations, Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives executed four search warrants at homes at Chester Hill, Georges Hall, Greenacre and Fairfield from 6am today (Wednesday 5 August 2020).
Investigators were also assisted by the Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS), South West Metropolitan Region Enforcement Squad (RES) and the Criminal Groups Squad's Strike Force Raptor throughout the operation.
During the searches, officers seized mobile phones, prohibited drugs and a crossbow.
Three men – aged 20, 24 and 26 – were arrested and taken to Bankstown Police Station.
The 20-year-old Chester Hill man was charged with 11 offences including; six counts of robbery armed with offensive weapon, robbery in company, two counts of attempt robbery in company, attempt robbery with offensive weapon, robbery in company cause wounding/grievous bodily harm.
The 24-year-old Georges Hall man was charged with eight offences including; five counts of robbery armed with offensive weapon, attempt robbery in company, robbery in company cause wounding/grievous bodily harm and possess prohibited drug.
The 26-year-old Fairfield man was charged with eight offences including; two counts of robbery armed with offensive weapon, robbery in company cause wounding/grievous bodily harm, aggravated break and enter dwelling in company steal, dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception and three counts of possess prohibited drug.
Police will allege in court that all three men were involved in several armed robberies across Sydney between July 2019 and June 2020.
It will be further alleged that the 26-year-old man made fraudulent claims under an NSW Government financial benefit scheme.
All three men were refused bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 6 August 2020).
