A man is in custody as police continue investigating three robberies, one attempted robbery, multiple assaults, a pursuit and a carjacking in the New England region earlier today.
About 4am today (Friday 28 October 2022), officers from New England Police District were alerted to a break and enter at a pharmacy on Grey Street, Glen Innes, by a man allegedly armed with a sledgehammer.
The man allegedly threatened a security guard before leaving with medication in a silver/grey Holden Commodore.
About 30 minutes later, a man allegedly assaulted the attendant of a service station on the New England Highway at Glen Innes, before leaving with cash.
About 5.30am, a female staff member at a service station on Byron Street, Inverell, was allegedly threatened by a man who entered the business and stole the till.
About 35 minutes later, two staff members at a service station on Glen Innes Road, Inverell, were allegedly assaulted by a man, who left empty-handed when a passer-by intervened.
Police began patrolling the town and, shortly before 6.15am, a grey Commodore – allegedly linked to these events – was seen being driven along Byron Street.
A pursuit was initiated when the driver failed to stop as directed but was terminated minutes later due to safety concerns.
Police continued to patrol the area and found the vehicle bogged beside Copeton Dam Road.
A nearby landholder told officers his 4WD had been stolen by a man who approached his home and asked for help.
Police resumed patrolling and saw the 4WD being driven along Copeton Dam Road where road spikes were deployed and two tyres deflated.
The vehicle continued towards Inverell where the 4WD eventually stopped on Jardine Road at Inverell about 7am, and the 33-year-old driver was arrested.
The Glen Innes man has been taken to Inverell Hospital for blood and urine testing, and it's expected he will be taken to Inverell Police Station once released from hospital.
Inquiries are continuing.
Anyone with information about these incident 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.
