Three teenagers and two adults are facing court on a total of 23 offences today after armed robberies in western and southern Sydney earlier this month.

Strike Force Army, comprising detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad, was formed to investigate robberies at licensed and other premises across Sydney.

In particular they are investigating armed robberies at a bottle shop in Greystaynes (6 May), a supermarket in Wentworthville (11 May) 2011) as well as an armed robbery at a licensed club in Mortdale (17 May).

Last night strike force detectives stopped a car on King Georges Road at Wiley Park, arresting the five people on board. The group was taken to Campsie Police Station. It will be alleged a search of the vehicle found machetes, a meat cleaver and a knife.

A 17-year-old Auburn boy was charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, armed with intent to commit an indictable offence, possess disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence, robbery whilst armed with an offensive weapon (x2) and robbery whilst armed with a dangerous weapon.

A 16-year-old Waterloo boy and a 17-year-old Greenacre boy were each charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence and possess disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence.

The teenagers were all refused bail and will appear in Parramatta Children’s Court later today.

An 18-year-old Merrylands man was subsequently charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence, possess disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence, robbery whilst armed with an offensive weapon (x2) and robbery whilst armed with a dangerous weapon.

A 30-year-old Oakhurst woman was charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence, possess disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence, robbery whilst armed with an offensive weapon, robbery whilst armed with a dangerous weapon.

Both adults were refused bail and will appear in Parramatta Local Court today.