Detectives have released images of a vehicle as they investigate multiple alleged assaults and robberies on the state's North Coast in recent weeks.
Strike Force Temoin was established by detectives from Richmond Police District after five men were allegedly assaulted in Evans Head and Ballina.
It's alleged the men were assaulted after arranging to meet a person they had communicated with online.
In the first incident, about 5.30pm on Monday 31 October 2022, a 58-year-old man was assaulted at Chinamans Beach carpark in Evans Head after arranging to meet a person he'd met online.
When he arrived at the carpark, the man was allegedly confronted by two males and dragged from his car before being repeatedly assaulted.
The males stole his vehicle and left before emergency services were alerted. He was taken to Lismore Base Hospital for treatment.
On Saturday 5 November 2022, a 77-year-old man was allegedly confronted and assaulted by four youths at Evans Head Skate Park, after arranging to meet a person he'd met online.
Following the assault, the group stole the man's vehicle.
The man was unconscious following the alleged assault; however, alerted emergency services when he regained consciousness. He was taken to Lismore Base Hospital for treatment.
The following day, on Sunday 6 November 2022, a 27-year-old man suffered serious injuries after being assaulted by four males at a park on Elm Street in Evans Head.
The man believed he was meeting a woman he had spoken to earlier in the day online.
The group began smashing the man's vehicle; however, he fled to a nearby medical centre and called for assistance. He was also taken to Lismore Base Hospital for treatment.
On Thursday 12 November 2022, two men – aged 53 and 50 –were assaulted in separate incidents by a group of youths in Ballina.
Both men, who both had items stolen from them, were taken to Ballina Hospital for treatment.
The assaults are all believed to be linked, and strike force investigators have released images of a vehicle as their inquiries into the incidents continue.
The vehicle, a white flat-tray utility, is believed to have been driven by the males and detectives are urging anyone who sees it to come forward.
Inquiries by Strike Force Temoin investigators continue.
Anyone with information about this 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.
