A man will face court today charged over a series of alleged armed robberies in the Sydney metropolitan area this month, NSW Police say.
Earlier this month, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad established Strike Force Adderstone to investigate a series of armed robberies, which were believed to be linked.
In the first incident, a man entered a store on Hoxton Park Road, Prestons, armed with a firearm just before 9pm on Wednesday 8 November 2017. The man allegedly fired shots while threatening staff, before fleeing the scene empty handed.
Police were called to a second incident about 2.30am on Thursday 9 November 2017, and were told a man entered the service station on Wallgrove Grove, Eastern Creek, armed with a firearm. The man allegedly threatened an employee before stealing cash and cigarettes, and fleeing the scene.
A short time later, police were called to a service station on Elizabeth Drive, Kemps Creek, following reports a man armed with a firearm entered the store, allegedly threatened staff, and stole cash and cigarettes before fleeing the scene.
Investigators were told the man drove – or was driven – from each of the locations in a silver Mitsubishi Evolution.
About 3am on Friday 10 November 2017, a man allegedly armed with a firearm entered a service station at Liverpool, threatened the console operator, and stole cash and cigarettes before fleeing the scene on foot.
Local police established crime scenes at each of the locations, which were examined by specialist forensic officers.
About 10.20pm on Sunday 15 November 2017, police attempted to stop a silver Mitsubishi Evolution on Maxwells Avenue, Sadleir, and the driver failed to stop.
Officers initiated a pursuit, which ended after the Evolution crashed into a fully-marked Highway Patrol car.
The driver ran from the vehicle, and despite an extensive search of the area, he could not be located.
Following extensive investigations, Strike Force Adderstone detectives arrested a 24-year-old man on Wilson Road, Green Valley, about 11.30am yesterday (Wednesday 29 November 2017).
He was taken to Green Valley Police Station and charged with three counts of armed robbery with dangerous weapon, attempt armed robbery with dangerous weapon, two counts each of fire firearm in public place, use prohibited weapon contrary to prohibition order, and possess prohibited weapon contrary to prohibition order; police pursuit- not stop-drive dangerously (Skye’s Law), and P2 driver exceed speed over 45km/h.
The Ashcroft man was refused bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court later today (Thursday 30 November 2017).
Investigations under Strike Force Adderstone are continuing.
