Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives have charged three men following an investigation into an alleged ram raid at a supermarket on the state's Central Coast last week.
Just after 2am last Friday (21 May 2021), an off-duty police officer contacted emergency services after hearing a loud noise at a nearby supermarket at Cresthaven Avenue, Bateau Bay.
The off duty senior constable – attached to Brisbane Water Police District – drove to the area, where he saw a white Pantech truck parked inside the front doors of the store.
The truck was allegedly reversed at speed toward the officer's vehicle, before it began to head north on Cresthaven Avenue and into Curzon Street.
The driver of the truck then reversed again and collided with the officer's car.
Following the collision, a male passenger got out of the truck and got in a parked dark blue vehicle, while the truck drove into Promenade Avenue, then Peak Street.
The off-duty officer continued to follow the truck, until the male driver stopped at Hume Boulevard, exited the vehicle and allegedly approached the senior constable with an axe.
After threatening the officer, the armed man drove off and the truck was later found abandoned at the intersection of Tasman Avenue and Yangoora Streets, Killarney Vale.
The off-duty officer was not physically injured during the incident.
During the incident, officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command attempted to stop a dark blue Audi travelling at speed on Wyong Road at Tumbi Umbi.
A pursuit was initiated; however, was terminated a short time later due to safety concerns.
Officers from Tuggerah Lakes Police District attended and with assistance from the Dog Unit, established a perimeter and conducted an extensive search of the area; however, the men were not located.
Initial inquiries were conducted by local police, before detectives from the State Crime Command's Robbery and Serious Crime Squad took carriage of the investigation under Strike Force Leewood.
Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives executed three search warrants at homes at Gladesville, Chatswood and Penrith from 7am today (Tuesday 25 May 2021).
During the searches, officers seized a dark blue Audi and a firearm, which will both undergo further examination.
Three men – aged 46, 44 and 43 – were arrested during the operation and taken to local police stations.
A 44-year-old Penrith man was charged with six offences including; aggravated break and enter dwelling in company steal, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence in company (steal), two counts of use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
He appeared at Penrith Local Court today (Tuesday 25 May 2021), where he was formally refused bail to appear at the same court on Friday 23 July 2021.
A 46-year-old Gladesville man was charged with 13 offences including; three counts of aggravated break and enter dwelling in company (steal), attempt aggravated break and enter dwelling in company (steal), larceny, receive/dispose stolen property, attempt take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence, police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly, false representation resulting in police investigation, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime intent to conceal.
A 43-year-old Chatswood man was charged with 12 offences including; two counts of aggravated break and enter dwelling in company (steal), break and enter house, two counts of receive/dispose stolen property, larceny, attempt aggravated break and enter dwelling in company (steal), attempt take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and possess unauthorised prohibited firearm.
Both men were refused bail to appear at Hornsby Local Court tomorrow (Wednesday 26 May 2021).
Investigations by the Robbery and Serious Crime Squad are continuing.
