Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives have charged three teenage boys following an investigation into a number of alleged armed robberies at brothels last month.
Detectives from the State Crime Command's Robbery and Serious Crime Squad established Strike Force Generation to investigate four armed robberies and two attempted armed robberies at brothels in Wollongong and Sydney's west within a one-week period.
Shortly before 2am on Wednesday 8 February 2023, two people attended a business on West Street, Wollongong, before allegedly threatening a 54-year-old male employee with knives and demanding cash. The employee was allegedly stabbed in the leg before the pair fled the scene.
Then about 1.30am on Wednesday 15 February 2023, two people attended a premises on Ballandalla Road, Pendle Hill, before one allegedly threatened an employee with a knife and an axe, and the other threatened another employee with a knife. They demanded cash before the pair left the scene in a white utility.
About 45 minutes later, two people attended a business on Alan Street, Fairfield, before allegedly threatening a 61-year-old male employee – one armed with an axe and the other armed with a knife. They allegedly stole cash and a mobile phone before fleeing the scene in a white utility.
About 15 minutes later, two people attended a business at Christina Road, Villawood, where they allegedly threatened a 34-year-old male employee, armed with a knife and an axe; the employee was struck to the head a number of times, before the pair stole cash and an electronic tablet and fled the scene.
Police will allege two further businesses were targeted in attempted armed robberies in Clyde and Rydalmere that same morning (Wednesday 15 February 2023).
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives executed a search warrant at a home in Marayong about 8am yesterday (Thursday 9 March 2023).
Two teenage boys – aged 16 and 17 – were arrested at the home and taken to Riverstone Police Station.
The older boy was charged with eight offences including aggravated robbery with wounding/grievous bodily harm, robbery and attempted robbery armed with offensive weapon, larceny, and be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.
The younger boy was charged with nine offences including robbery and attempted robbery armed with offensive weapon, larceny, drive and be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, and dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception.
A third teenage boy, aged 16, was arrested at a home in Kyeemagh later in the day and was taken to Kogarah Police Station.
He was charged with seven offences including aggravated robbery with wounding/grievous bodily harm, robbery and attempted robbery armed with offensive weapon, and be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.
All three teenagers were refused bail to appear at children's courts later today (Friday 10 March 2023).
