Detectives investigating a spate of armed robberies in Sydney have released CCTV footage from two of the armed robberies in the hope it will prompt community members with information of relevance to come forward.

Detectives from the Robbery and Serious Crime Squad have formed Strike Force Dean to investigate 13 incidents, all of which police believe may be linked to the one core group.

The 13 incidents are:

– The attempted armed robbery of a bowling club in Hurlstone Park shortly before 8pm on Saturday 21 September 2013;

– The attempted armed robbery of a pub in Drummoyne shortly after midday on Sunday 29 September 2013;

– The attempted armed robbery of a gambling venue in Bexley North around 6pm on Monday 21 October 2013, as well as the theft of wallets from two of the venue’s customers;

– The armed robbery of a pub in Canterbury around 11.45pm on Monday 21 October 2013;

– The armed robbery of a pub in Kingsgrove about 2.15am on Wednesday 5 November 2013;

– The armed robbery of a pub in West Ryde shortly before 11.30pm on Saturday 23 November 2013;

– The theft of a blue Honda Accord from a property on Windsor Road, Dulwich Hill, during the night of Friday 29 November 2013;

– The armed robbery of a pub in Kingsgrove around 1am on Saturday 30 November 2013;

– The armed robbery of a pub in Earlwood around 2.30am on Wednesday 4 December 2013;

– The armed robbery of a pub in West Ryde about 11pm on Wednesday 11 December 2013;

– The armed robbery of pub in Lewisham around 11.50pm on Monday 16 December 2013;

– The armed robbery of a bowling club in Belfield about 10.20pm on Friday 7 February 2014; and,

– The armed robbery of a pub in Belmore around 1.45am on Tuesday 11 February 2014.

The CCTV released today was captured during the West Ryde and Lewisham armed robberies.

About 11pm on Wednesday 11 December 2013, three males, all of whom had their faces concealed with cloth, entered a pub on West Parade, West Ryde.

The males – two of whom were armed with shortened firearms, and one who was armed with a large knife – threatened staff and patrons, before forcing one staff member to open an on-site safe.

The trio subsequently stole an amount of cash from the safe before fleeing the scene.

CCTV shows that the males arrived at the location in a light-coloured sedan; detectives believe they also left the location in this car.

Less than a week later, about 11.50pm on Monday 16 December 2013, three males, all of whom had their faces covered, entered a pub on Hunter Street in Lewisham.

The males – two of whom were armed with shortened firearms, and one who was armed with a large knife – threatened staff members with their weapons, before accessing an office where they were able to steal an amount of cash

The trio subsequently left the location in a white Holden Commodore, the same vehicle they arrived at the location in.

The first male involved in the Lewisham robbery is described as being approximately 170cm tall with a thin build. During the incident, he was carrying a shortened firearm, and was wearing a grey hooded-jumper with the number “99” on the back, grey tracksuit pants, gloves and had black cloth covering his face.

The second male involved in the Lewisham robbery is described as being approximately 180cm tall with a thin build. During the robbery, he was carrying a shortened firearm, and was wearing a light-coloured hooded-jumper, dark tracksuit pants, dark cloth over his face, gloves and white shoes.

A third male, who does not appear in the CCTV, was armed with a knife and is described as being approximately 170 – 180cm tall with a thin build. During the robbery, he was armed with a large knife, and was wearing a dark hooded- jumper, dark tracksuit pants, dark cloth over his face, gloves and white shoes.

The three males involved in the armed robbery at West Ryde were all wearing dark hooded-jumpers and dark pants, and had their faces covered with cloth or balaclavas.

One of the men, armed with a shortened firearm, was wearing a distinctive white balaclava.

The Commander of the Robbery and Serious Crime Squad, Detective Superintendent Luke Moore, said police are hoping the release of vision will prompt community members to come forward with information.

“If you have information concerning any of these incidents – whether it relates to something you saw or something you have heard, or even someone you suspect may be involved – please do get in touch,” Detective Superintendent Moore said.

“You can provide information anonymously and securely.

“We don’t need to know who you are; all we need is the information you have to hand.”