Detectives investigating the armed robbery of a licensed premises on the state's North Coast earlier this year have released CCTV images and are appealing for public information that may assist their inquiries.
Just after 8pm on Tuesday 6 April 2021, three men – two armed with a machete and a knife – entered a club on Marvell Street at Byron Bay.
The men threatened a female employee before stealing cash and fleeing the area.
They were last seen running down Marvell Lane toward Tennyson Street, Byron Bay.
The employee was not physically injured during the incident.
Local police commenced inquiries into the incident before detectives from the State Crime Command's Robbery and Serious Crime Squad took carriage of the investigation under Strike Force Radiate.
As investigations continue, detectives have released CCTV vision of three men who may be able to assist police with ongoing inquiries.
The first man depicted in the CCTV is described as being of a tall and athletic build. He was wearing a black bandana wrapped around his face and head, a black jacket, dark blue pants, white socks with a black rim around the top, black gloves with a blue band around the wrist, and a black backpack. He is depicted carrying a silver knife.
The second man depicted in the CCTV is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance and of a medium height and build. He was wearing a black balaclava, black jacket, dark green or dark blue shorts with a bright green and grey stripe on each side.
The man has a distinctive left little finger which may sit at an angle from others. He was barefoot and depicted carrying a silver machete with a brown handle.
The third man depicted in the CCTV is described as being of a medium height and build. He was wearing a black bandana around his face and head, a black jacket, black pants, black socks and black gloves.
Robbery and Serious Crime Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Andrew Koutsoufis, said the community should view the CCTV closely to help investigators identify the individuals.
"To be confronted and threatened with a machete and other weapons is extremely traumatic and police will not tolerate these sorts of violent crimes," Det Supt Koutsoufis said.
"Byron Bay is an extremely busy yet small coastal town, and I am confident there are people out there who know who these men are. I encourage them to come forward and speak with police."
Anyone with information that may assist investigators 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.
