Sydney Police have today released CCTV in their investigation into a spate of broad daylight armed and attempted armed robberies across ethnic Western Sydney in the last two months.
Between Sunday 24 August and Tuesday 21 October 2014, a spate of armed robberies was committed upon newsagencies, service stations, liquor stores and hotels across Western Sydney. During some of the incidents, two men entered the premises armed with a pistol and demanded cash from employees before fleeing the scene.
Investigators have released CCTV images of two men who they believe may be able to assist with their inquiries.
Common denominator? The two men are “Pacific Islander in Appearance”.
Send the bill to Immigration, including the gaol fees.
Officers from the Metropolitan Robbery Unit have established Strike Force Tuft to investigate the 15 armed robberies and believe they may be linked.
One man depicted in the images is described as being of Pacific Islander/Maori appearance, about 175cm tall with a medium build and wearing high visibility clothing. The second man is described as being of Pacific Islander/Maori appearance, about 180cm tall with a medium/solid build.
It should be Strike Force Coconut.
Detective Inspector Adam Barwick from the Metropolitan Robbery Unit said the majority of the robberies were committed in the morning.
“The men conducting the armed robberies are brazen in their attacks and have been conducting them in broad daylight. “During some of the robberies the men have been seen leaving the area in an early model white-coloured Kia Carnival van with dark tinted windows and roof racks.”
Two coconuts in a Kia Carnival. Can’t be too hard to find.
Details of the armed robberies include:
- a service station at Bankstown on Sunday 24 August 2014,
- a service station at Kellyville on Sunday 24 August 2014,
- a bottle shop at Padstow on Sunday 24 August 2014,
- a newsagency at Smithfield on Thursday 28 August 2014,
- a hotel at Rosehill on Thursday 28 August 2014,
- a club at Eastwood on Saturday 30 August 2014,
- a hotel at Fairfield on Monday 1 September 2014,
- The attempted robbery of a hotel at Allawah on Sunday 7 September 2014,
- a hotel at Ashfield on Sunday 7 September 2014,
- a hotel at Villawood on Thursday 9 September 2014,
- a hotel at Warwick Farm on Monday 13 October 2014,
- a hotel at Merrylands on Wednesday 15 October 2014,
- a hotel at Summer Hill on Saturday 18 October 2014,
- a hotel at Greenfield Park on Monday 20 October 2014,
- a hotel at Waitara on Monday 20 October 2014, and;
- a hotel at Smithfield on Wednesday 22 October, 2014
Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Coconut Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.