23 December 2016 – Update – Arrest – Explosives Used – ATM’s – Shopping Centres – Adelaide CBD
Published January 9, 2017 | 
This afternoon police arrested and charged a man over three incidents where explosive device were used to damage ATM’s.
Just before 2pm, Detectives from the Serious and Organised Crime Branch, uniform Eastern Adelaide police patrols and STAR group officers, cordoned off a premises in Frank Street Newton and arrested the man without incident.
The 39-year-old man from Newton has been charged with two counts of aggravated serious criminal trespass, three counts of property damage by explosives and three counts of theft.
The arrest follows a detailed investigation into three incidents where ATM’s were damaged at: Plane Tree Drive Adelaide on Friday 27 May, Tea Tree Plaza on Sunday 11 September and the most recent incident at the Newton Shopping Centre on Tuesday 20 December.
The arrested man has been refused police bail and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday 28 December.
20 December 2016 – ATM Blown Up – Shopping Centre – Newton
Published December 20, 2016 | Police are investigating after an ATM was blown up at Newton Shopping Centre overnight.
Police and MFS crews responded to alarms and reports of smoke coming from the shopping centre on Montacute Road, Newton about 3.15am on Tuesday 20 December.
A man on a scooter or small motorcycle had smashed glass to gain entry to the mall, rode his bike into the mall and blew up an ATM. He possibly obtained cash, which he put in a shoulder bag, and rode off towards Gorge Road.
It is not yet known how much cash was stolen. The explosion caused extensive damage to the ATM and minor damage to the surrounding shop.
The suspect was wearing a full face helmet, black jacket and grey t-shirt. The motorcycle had only one mirror on the right hand side and a red and black seat.
A scooter believed to have been used in the ATM robbery was located at Belperio Court, Paradise this morning. It had been stolen from Magill last month. It has been seized by police for forensic examination.
15 December 2016 – Armed Robbery – ATM – Kingscliff
Published December 19, 2016 | Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the attempted robbery of a woman at an ATM in Kingscliff yesterday.
About 5.15pm (Wednesday 14 December 2016), a 44-year-old woman was at an automated teller machine on Pearl Street when she was approached by a man.
The man, described as being Caucasian in appearance, about 173cm tall with a chubby build, light brown short hair and wearing a white T-shirt and coloured shorts, was armed with a pair of scissors and threatened the woman.
He made demands for the woman to withdraw cash from her bank account while holding the scissors at her waist.
The woman attempted to run and the armed man pursued.
Two men came out of a nearby bank and came to the aid of the woman.
The armed man ran from the area.
The matter was reported to officers from Tweed/Byron Local Area Command and an investigation is now underway.
Police would like to speak with anyone who may have information that could assist.
8 December 2016 – Armed Robbery – Bank – Sandgate
Published December 9, 2016 | Detectives investigating the attempted armed robbery of a Sandgate bank this morning have charged a 39-year-old man over the incident.
It will be alleged around 8.10am, the man armed with a replica firearm, entered the Brighton Road business through a side door.
Once inside, it will be alleged the man forced two female employees into a back room and demanded cash.
A third female employee was able to lock herself in an office before calling Triple Zero.
When police arrived on scene, the man allegedly threatened them with the replica firearm before surrendering.
No one was injured during the incident.
The 39-year-old Gailes man has been charged with three counts each of serious assault police whilst armed, two counts each of stealing, two counts each of receiving tainted property, two counts each of attempted armed robbery, one count of enter premises to commit indictable offence, one count of enter premises and commit indictable offence by break and one count of possess thing intended for use.
He is expected to appear in the Sandgate Magistrates Court later today, December 8.
23 October 2016 – CC Fraud – Financial Institution – Port Adelaide
Published October 28, 2016 | Police believe the missing man – who has likely been murdered – was linked with the fraudulent use of a debit card which was ultimately used to steal $6.326 million from a bank account held by the Bank of East Asia.
Photographs: ATM vision of Mr Au
Mr Au was reported missing 18 months after the images were captured by police officers from the Major Fraud Section who were investigating his suspected involvement in the theft.
Despite extensive inquiries in South Australia and other States and Territories, the last confirmed contact with Mr Au, who was born in Vietnam but moved to South Australia when he was aged 14, was when he rang a friend from his mobile phone at 12.54pm on 15 August 2000.
Just minutes before that call investigators know that Mr Au used the stolen bank debit card to withdraw $6,000 from a National Australia Bank (NAB) ATM in Port Adelaide.
Detective Inspector Greg Hutchins, from Major Crime, said this unauthorised withdrawal of cash was just a small piece in the jigsaw puzzle of this case which has been investigated by experts from both the SA Police Major Fraud and Major Crime sections.
The debit card at the centre of the matter was stolen in Brisbane on 19 May 2000 from a student from Hong Kong. Because of a computer processing error, the stolen card was able to be used to make unlimited cash withdrawals from NAB ATMs.
The first unauthorised transaction occurred on 28 July 2000, and in total prior to 15 August, Mr Au was recorded on security cameras on 41 occasions conducting 465 transactions.
The last of those were the ones conducted on 15 August, when Mr Au made 12 transactions – the last recorded at 12:35pm. By that time about $396,000 had been stolen from the bank account.
After that date, three other people are recorded on ATM security cameras using the card to withdraw funds from the account.
On 19 October 2000, the NAB became aware of the unauthorised transactions being conducted using the stolen card and the card was retained by an ATM at the Tea Tree Plaza Shopping Centre during an attempted transaction.
“That’s when police were first advised of this matter and began a full investigation,” Detective Inspector Hutchins said.
“We believe that between 28 July 2000 and 19 October 2000 the stolen card was used 6,797 times to withdraw a total of $6,326,320.00, principally in $50 notes from NAB ATMs. “
In November that year police searched 16 Adelaide addresses as part of the investigation and found about $4.07 million in cash under the floorboards of the main bedroom of a property in Kitchener Street, Kilburn.
Four people were arrested and charged with offences relating to the use of the stolen card and the theft of the $6.326 million, however despite extensive inquiries, Mr Au (pictured below) has never been located.
“We know that until 5 August 2000, Mr Au was residing at Rosewater Lodge in Rosewater, but we also have information – supplied anonymously via Crime Stoppers – that he was staying at the Kitchener St address where the cash was found,” Detective Inspector Hutchins said.
“We believe this case is solvable – we only need one final piece of information from the right caller to finally fit the full jigsaw puzzle together.
“This case is being reviewed as part of Operation Persist, the Major Crime-led cold case campaign, and as part of that has been featured in the Sunday Mail today.
“There is a $200,000 reward available in connection with this case – not just for information leading to a conviction of the person or persons responsible, but for the recovery of Mr Au’s remains.
“His family and friends are entitled to know what became of their loved one and we are appealing for help in bringing some resolution to this matter.”
27 October 2016 – Fraud – Bank – South Melbourne
Published October 28, 2016 | Detectives from Port Phillip Crime Investigation Unit have arrested a man today following an alleged $1M theft from a South Melbourne bank.
Police have been told a man attended the bank in August this year with a false Chinese passport and arranged to transfer and withdraw $1M.
A 22-year-old Malaysian national was arrested this morning in the Melbourne CBD following the execution of two search warrants.
He is currently being interviewed by police.
11 October 2016 – Update – Arrest – Armed Robbery – Bank – Casuarina
Published October 14, 2016 | Northern Territory Police have charged a 33-year-old man following an aggravated assault at a Casuarina bank yesterday.
He was charged with:
- Recklessly endanger life
- Aggravated assault
- Armed with controlled weapon
- Disorderly behaviour in public place
He will appear in Darwin local court today.
The victim has since been released from hospital.
10 October 2016 – Armed Robbery – Bank – Casuarina
Published October 14, 2016 | Northern Territory Police have arrested a 33-year-old male following an aggravated assault at a Casuarina bank earlier today.
Detective Acting Superintendent Chris Board said Police will allege the man attended the Casuarina bank around 1030am and assaulted a female staff member.
“The man fled the scene but was arrested by Police early this afternoon at a residence in Malak. He is expected to be interviewed and charged later today.
“The victim was transported to Royal Darwin Hospital where she is receiving treatment for a laceration to her neck.
2 September 2016 – Arrest – Armed Robbery – ATM – Goodna
Published September 2, 2016 | Police have charged a man following investigations into three alleged armed robberies that occurred in the Goodna area over the last two days.
It will be alleged on Wednesday night around 10.30pm a man approached a 19-year-old woman from behind as she was using an ATM machine at a Goodna shopping centre. He is alleged to have placed a knife against the woman and demanded money. The woman has complied and the man then left the scene on foot.
It will be further alleged around 11.10pm a man has approached a taxi that was called to an Arkins Crescent address and entered the vehicle. While the driver was travelling it is alleged the man has produced a knife and made demands for money. The driver has complied and the man then exited the vehicle with the money.
In a further incident police will allege a taxi was called to an Eric Street address around 9.50am yesterday and upon arrival a man has entered the vehicle. The driver has taken the man to Arkins Crescent and as the car has stopped the man is alleged to have produced a knife and made demands for money. The driver has complied and the man has then left on foot with a sum of money.
Following investigations into the alleged robberies detectives from Ipswich Criminal Investigation Branch arrested and charged a 24-year-old Bellbird Park man with three counts of armed robbery. He is due to appear in the Ipswich Magistrates Court today.
27 July 2016 – Armed Robbery – Bank – Broadmeadows
Published July 28, 2016 | Armed Crime Squad detectives have charged a 19-year-old man following a robbery outside a bank in Broadmeadows on 2 May.
A man was allegedly robbed outside a bank on Pascoe Vale Road about 4.30pm.
The offender produced a firearm and stole the victim’s bag containing cash.
A Broadmeadows man was arrested this morning and charged with three counts of armed robbery, four counts of theft of motor vehicle, three counts of commercial burglary and other traffic related offences.
He will appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today.
