St George detectives have charged a man following an investigation into an alleged series of violent offences, including armed robberies and attempted extortions in the local area in recent months.
About 5.20pm on Sunday 29 December 2019, three men allegedly entered a home on Terry Street, Arncliffe, and demanded cash.
The group fled the home empty handed a short time later.
Later that evening, one of the residents began receiving text messages from an unknown number. After threats and demands for cash were received, the resident contacted police.
Police were again called to the home on Monday 13 January 2020, after reports two men had broken into a granny flat and were rummaging through belongings.
One of the men was arrested following a short foot pursuit, while the other man could not be located.
The 26-year-old Smithfield man was charged with aggravated break and enter dwelling in company. He has been remanded in custody and will next appear at Sutherland Local Court on Monday 24 February 2020.
In a separate incident, a couple were threatened by a man with a firearm at an arranged meeting with an online seller on Hudson Street, Hurstville, about 8.30pm on Sunday 12 January 2020.
The man demanded cash, which he stole while brandishing the firearm, the couple were able to drive from the area.
Officers from St George Police Area Command attended each of the incidents and established crime scenes, which were examined by specialist forensic officers.
Inquiries by local detectives determined the incidents may be linked and Strike Force Palora and Jersey were established to conduct investigations.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives arrested a 25-year-old man at a home at Chipping Norton about 11.40am yesterday (Wednesday 12 February 2020).
He was taken to Liverpool Police Station and charged with robbery while armed with dangerous weapon, break and enter house etc steal, and two counts of demand property in company with menaces with intent to steal.
The man was refused bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court today (Thursday 13 February 2020).
