27 March 2013 – Credit Card Fraud – Data Skimming Device in Taxis – Sutherland
Published March 28, 2013 | 
A 37-year-old man will face court today after being charged in relation to organised credit card fraud.
Strike Force Somersham is a Fraud and Cybercrime Squad and Sutherland Local Area Command investigation into the creation of fake credit cards using data skimmed from legitimate credit cards.
Police will allege the victims’ card details were stolen when paying for goods on a device that had been fitted with a card skimmer. That included devices which were fitted inside a number of taxis.
It is believed the card details were then used to manufacture fraudulent credit cards which were used to purchase good at various stores throughout NSW and the ACT.
About 9.30am today (Wednesday 27 march 2013), a 37-year-old man was arrested at Campsie Police Station.
He was charged with more than 30 offences relating to fraud and money laundering, including deal with identity information to commit indictable offence, and refused bail to face Burwood Local Court today.
His arrest follows the execution of a search warrant at a home in Punchbowl earlier this week, where blank cards, computer equipment, sheets of credit card numbers and other items were seized.
This is the second arrest by Strike Force Somersham detectives, with another man arrested in November 2012 still before the court.
Anyone with information about this matter should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/. Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.
In the meantime, police are also urging people to take the following precautions to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of credit card fraud:
– Never let your credit card out of your sight. – Always cover your hand when entering your pin into an EFTPOS device or ATM. – Change your PIN regularly. – Check your credit card and bank statements regularly and report any discrepancies to your financial institution immediately.
17 March 2013 – Update – Armed Robbery – Taxi Driver – Crestmead
Published March 22, 2013 | Police have charged a man in relation to the assault and robbery of a taxi driver at Crestmead on March 15.
It will be alleged the driver had paint sprayed in his face before being assaulted.
Cash and property were also allegedly stolen during the incident.
The driver, a 53-year-old Boronia Heights man, received lacerations to his face and was taken to the Logan Hospital for treatment.
The taxi was also damaged during the incident.
An 18-year-old Crestmead man has been charged with one count each of robbery with violence, wilful damage and evade cab fare.
He is due to appear in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court on April 4.
Investigations are continuing.
27 February 2013 – Armed Robbery – Taxi Driver – Newtown
Published March 1, 2013 | Police are investigating the armed robbery of a taxi in Newtown overnight.
Around 11.55pm, a taxi was called to Ascot Street in Newtown, and as the driver has pulled over, he was approached by a man.
The man produced what appeared to be a pistol and demanded cash before pulling the driver from the vehicle.
The driver was then struck on the face with the pistol, and the man has taken his wallet and left the scene on foot.
The driver didn’t require any medical treatment.
Police investigations are continuing.
31 January 2013 – Armed Robbery – Taxi Driver – Mount Sheridan
Published January 31, 2013 | Police are investigating the armed robbery of a taxi driver at Mount Sheridan last night.
Around 8pm, two men entered a taxi on Bowen Street, wrapped a piece of rope around the 52-year-old male driver’s neck, and threatened him with a knife.
A driver handed over a sum of cash.
The two men exited the taxi and fled the scene on foot.
A third man was standing at the rear of the taxi and fled with the two offenders down Bowen Street. They were last seen turning on to Fitzroy Street.
The driver sustained a cut to his right thumb.
One man is described as Caucasian in appearance, approximately 178cm tall with a proportionate build and light brown hair.
The second man is described as Caucasian in appearance with a proportionate build and blonde hair.
17 December 2012 – Update – Youth Charged – Armed Robbery – Taxi Driver – Parafield Gardens
Published December 17, 2012 | Another youth has been arrested and charged over the robbery of a taxi driver at Parafield Gardens on Monday 10 December.
Police will allege the youth was one of three teenage boys who allegedly assaulted the taxi driver on Salisbury Highway, stealing coins from the cab, in the early hours of Monday morning.
A 14-year-old youth was arrested on Friday by Transit Police and charged with aggravated robbery. He was refused police bail and will appear in the Adelaide Youth Court today.
A 15-year-old boy was arrested earlier in the week, and Transit Police are continuing their investigation to identify the third suspect.
13 December – Arrest – Assault and Robbery – Taxi Driver – Parafield Gardens
Published December 14, 2012 | Yesterday Transit Police have arrested and charged a 15-year-old boy from the northern suburbs following the assault and robbery of a taxi driver in the early hours of Monday morning.
Police will allege the youth was one of three teenage boys who allegedly assaulted the taxi driver on Salisbury Highway at Parafield Gardens stealing coins from the cab.
Enquiries are continuing on the identity of the other suspects.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
There were no injuries.
11 December 2012 – Armed Robbery – Taxi Driver – Casula
Published December 14, 2012 | Police are investigating the armed robbery of a taxi driver in Sydney’s south-west overnight.
About 9.45pm (Monday 10 December 2012), a taxi collected a male passenger on Bigge Street, Liverpool, and was directed to drive him to Myall Road at Casula.
Police have been told when the driver – a 37-year-old man – turned into Myall Road, the passenger held a knife to his throat and demanded money.
He complied and the offender fled with a sum of cash and property.
Police from Liverpool Local Area Command were alerted to the incident and commenced inquiries.
The victim was not injured.
The male has only been described as being of Middle Eastern / Mediterranean appearance.
Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity, or who has information, to come forward.
26 November 2012 – Update – Charges Laid – Taxi Driver Assault – Kalgoorlie
Published November 29, 2012 | Kalgoorlie Detectives have charged two men in relation to an incident in Kalgoorlie on Thursday 15 November 2012, in which a taxi driver was assaulted.
The taxi was parked at a taxi rank at the upper end of Hannan Street some time before 2:00am when it will be alleged the 29 year old male driver was assaulted with a glass bottle,and the taxi he was driving was stolen. The taxi was later located abandoned and burnt out in Collins Street, Piccadilly.
Detectives arrested the two men on Friday night and they were subsequently charged on Saturday morning. An 18 year old man from Kalgoorlie has been charged with Aggravated Robbery and will
appear in the Kalgoorlie Magistrates Court today, Monday 26 November 2012. A 22 year old man from Kalgoorlie has been charged with Aggravated Robbery and Criminal Damage by Fire, and will appear in the Kalgoorlie Magistrates Court today, Monday 26 November 2012.
23 November 2012 – Armed Robbery – Taxi Driver – Kalgoorlie
Published November 29, 2012 | Kalgoorlie Detectives are calling for the public’s assistance in their investigation into a robbery on a 35 year old taxi driver last week.
About 1.20am on Thursday 15 November, the victim was waiting in his taxi at the Central Taxi rank on Hannans Street when he was approached by two men.
The offenders stood on either side of the taxi, punching and kicking the vehicle.
One of the men then struck the victim to the back of the head with a glass bottle before the other punched and kicked him a number of times.
The men then stole the victim’s taxi which was later found burnt out in Wallace Park. The vehicle contained the victim’s mobile phone and a quantity of cash.
It is believed that shortly before the incident, the same men were involved in a stealing and assault incident at the Palace Hotel Gold Bar where a 22 year old man received minor injuries.
Investigators would like to speak with the men pictured below who they believe can assist with their inquiries.
14 November 2012 – Arrests – Armed Robbery – Taxi Driver – Belgrave
Published November 16, 2012 | Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit detectives have arrested two men following an alleged armed robbery on a taxi driver in Belgrave over the weekend.
The two men, both aged 21, from Olinda and Belgrave were arrested last night after one of the men attended at the Belgrave police station.
The men were questioned by investigators and allowed to leave pending further inquiries.
