A man and woman are due to appear in court today charged after allegedly running down a Bankstown hardware store employee, who was trying to stop them from shoplifting, NSW Police say.
Police from Bankstown Local Area Command have been told the incident began about 2pm today, when a loss prevention officer approached the couple, who will allege were stealing from the hardware store on Milperra Road, Bankstown.
The couple walked into the store car park where they were challenged by two loss-prevention officers. One of the officers, a 57-year-old man, was allegedly assaulted by the man.
The man then ran to his car – where three children were waiting – and allegedly drove his car at the 41-year-old staff member, knocking him to the ground. The woman ran to a nearby fast food restaurant car park.
The man then left the scene and drove to the restaurant car park, followed by the younger loss prevention officer, who recorded the car and number plate on his smartphone.
The couple got out of their car and allegedly struck the employee up to 10 times, breaking a bottle over his head and stealing his phone, before getting back into the car and driving away.
Police from Bankstown Local Area Command were alerted and arrested a 35-year-old woman at a shopping centre at Chipping Norton a short time later; a 24-year-old man was then arrested at a home unit in Mead Street, Chipping Norton.
They were taken to Bankstown Police Station and charged.
The man has been charged with
• Armed with intent to commit indictable offence
• Robbery armed with an offensive weapon
• Threaten injury to person with intent to commit indictable offence
• Use offensive weapon with intent to commit indictable offence
• Common assault
• Destroy or damage property
• Shoplifting
• Drive while disqualified.
The woman has been charged with
• Robbery armed with an offensive weapon
• Shoplifting, and,
• Breach AVO.
They were both refused bail to appear in Parramatta Bail Court later tomorrow.
A notification about the three children has been made to the Department of Family and Community Services; they are in the care of a family member.
The two staff members are not believed to have been seriously hurt.
