4 January 2014 – Armed Robberies – Newsagencies/Post Offices – Melbourne
Published January 10, 2014 | 
Armed Crime Taskforce detectives are appealing for information from the public in relation to a string of armed robberies at newsagencies and post offices across Melbourne during the past eight months.
Detectives now believe the robberies, which occurred in Croydon, Rosanna, Preston, Strathmore and Mitcham between May and September 2013, are linked.
Acting Detective Sergeant David O’Riley from the Armed Crime Taskforce said looking at the incidents collectively indicated that they were part of a series.
“Looking at the incidents as a series rather than in isolation, we’ve been able to make the connection and have taken carriage of the investigations from the local crime investigation units and embona taskforces,” A/D/Sgt O’Riley said.
“There are certain similarities between the incidents that suggest they are being carried out by the same group of offenders and we’re appealing for public assistance to help identify and locate them.
“On each occasion, a group of two to three males in their early 20s with dark skin and covered faces have produced knives and demanded cash from the shop attendants.
“On one occasion at a newsagency in Strathmore on 6 September, two male victims were also violently assaulted.
“While the offenders have used different vehicles to flee the scene, on each occasion the vehicle involved has had an obscured number plate or no number plate attached.
“We have concerns about the violent nature of the offending and need the public’s help to identify and arrest these people before they commit any more offences.”
Police have released CCTV of the robbery in Strathmore in September. They have also released a still image of a 1998 green Ford Fiesta, believed to be involved in the robbery at Preston in August, and a 1999 black Jeep Gran Cherokee believed to be involved in the incident in Mitcham in September.
11 December 2013 – Update – Charges Laid – Armed Robberies – Inner Sydney
Published December 13, 2013 | Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives have today charged a man with an armed robbery at Leichhardt and a planned robbery at Pyrmont in October this year.
Strike Force Threshing is a Robbery and Serious Crime Squad investigation into a number of armed robberies and aggravated break enter and steals throughout inner Sydney in recent months.
That includes the planned robbery of a business in Pyrmont on 16 October 2013 which did not eventuate, and an armed robbery on Thursday 17 October 2013 during which three men smashed their way into a financial institution at Wetherill Street, Leichhardt, and accessed a safe before stealing an amount of cash.
Earlier today (Wednesday 11 December 2013), detectives attended an address at Silverwater and charged a 30-year-old man with robbery whilst armed with an offensive weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery whilst armed with an offensive weapon, and two counts of being carried in a conveyance.
He will remain in custody to appear at Central Local Court on Thursday 16 January 2014.
This is the fourth man to be arrested by Strike Force Threshing detectives.
5 December 2013 – Update – Comfit Released – Armed Robbery – Motel – Torquay
Published December 6, 2013 | Police investigating the armed robbery of a motel in Torquay on December 2 have released a comfit of a man who may be able to assist with inquiries.
Around 8pm, a man entered a guest’s room of the Charlton Esplanade premises and threatened a woman with a knife.
The man assaulted the woman before stealing her purse and other items and leaving the room.
The woman was not physically injured during the incident.
The man is described as Middle Eastern in appearance, aged in his mid to late 20s, approximately 177cm tall and has a heavy build.
3 December 2013 – Armed Robbery – Motel – Torquay
Published December 6, 2013 | Police are investigating an armed robbery at a motel in Torquay last night.
Around 8pm a man entered a guest’s room of the Charlton Esplanade premises and threatened a woman with a knife.
The man assaulted the woman before stealing her purse and other items and leaving the room.
The woman was not physically injured during the incident.
The man is described as Middle Eastern in appearance, aged in his mid-20s and has a heavy build.
1 December 2013 – Armed Robbery – Auto Parts Business – Miami
Published December 6, 2013 | Police are looking for a male who attempted to rob an auto parts shop at Miami early this morning.
Around 4.15am a man armed with what is believed to be an electronic conducting device attended the Gold Coast Highway business, threatening two male employees and demanding money.
The male fled empty handed after being confronted by the men, one of which was carrying a stick.
One of the employees sustained a minor laceration to his hand during a brief scuffle with the male. The men then chased the male out of the business and into nearby Sunshine Parade before losing sight of him.
The male is described as Caucasian, approximately 180cms tall with blonde or light brown hair, brown eyes and a solid build. He had a black t-shirt wrapped around his face and was wearing a maroon hooded jumper and khaki shorts.
One of the employees sustained a minor laceration to his hand during a brief scuffle with the male.
Police investigations are continuing.
5 December 2013 – Update – Charges Laid – Second Man – Armed Robbery – Newsagency – Launceston
Published December 6, 2013 | Launceston CIB detectives have charged a 22-year-old Launceston man with the armed robbery of the Wellington Street Newsagency on 21 November 2013.
He is the second person charged relating to this robbery.
He was remanded in custody and will appear in the Launceston Court of Petty Sessions at 4pm Today, Thursday 5 December 2013.
2 December 2013 – Update – Charges Laid – Armed Robbery – Newsagency – Launceston
Published December 6, 2013 | On Monday 2 December 2013 LauncestonCIBcharged a 21 year old Summerhill man in relation to the armed robbery of the Wellington Street Newsagency on 21 November 2013.
He was also charged in relation to the burglaries of 13 businesses and houses in Launceston, Evandale and Longford between 15 October 2013 and 1 December 2013.
Detective Senior Sergeant Jonathan Higgins said that the man was identified and linked to the burglaries and robbery after a lengthy investigation by members of LauncestonCIB.
The 21 year old was remanded in custody and will appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court at 4pm today.
Detective Higgins would like to thank members of the public for their assistance during this investigation
27 November 2013 – Latest Crime Statistics Released
Published November 29, 2013 | Victoria Police has today published its latest crime statistics.
The statistics compare the 12 months to September 2013 with the 12 months to September 2012.
The overall recorded crime rate across the state has increased by 2.7 per cent, measured as a rate per 100,000 of the population which is standard across Australia. The total number of offences recorded is up by 4.6 per cent (up 18,069 offences to a total of 414,762 offences).
Crime against the person has increased by 2.5 per cent per 100,000 population. This is mostly due to an increase in the rate of assaults, up four per cent. Robbery is down 18.3 per cent, and assault excluding family violence is down 1.8 per cent.
Crime against property has decreased by 0.8 per cent as a rate per 100,000 population, with all categories down. This includes theft of motor vehicle (down 11.8 per cent), theft from motor vehicle (down 9.5 per cent), property damage (down 7.3 per cent) and residential burglaries (down 4.8 per cent).
Drug offences have increased by 8.8 per cent as a rate per 100,000 population.
Other crimes have increased by 17.4 per cent as a rate per 100,000 population, with the main driver being a rise in breaches of family violence intervention orders.
Deputy Commissioner Lucinda Nolan said the increase in crime rates was due to more detected crime, which includes offences such as drug use and possession and general behaviour in public offences.
She said police had also seen a rise in breaches of family violence intervention orders, which was directly related to more family violence based offences overall. Data shows that one in three intervention orders were breached.
Ms Nolan said while Victoria Police would continue its focus on those crimes identified in the latest statistics, police were increasingly concerned with some emerging trends, including: • Deceptions. Specifically credit cards being stolen – sometimes from mailboxes – and offenders using these cards in-store for multiple low value transactions without the victim’s knowledge. • Goods being stolen from shops. Some retailers are changing their practices in-store to introduce multiple exits, making it easier for offenders to walk out without paying for goods.
“We’re concerned with how some retailers and industries, through their own practices, are contributing to the crimes being committed,” Ms Nolan said.
“While financial institutions and retailers may be willing to factor in fraudulent activity into their profits, someone else ends up paying for it – normally the lawful customers.
“And then police resources are tied up in looking into crimes that could be prevented and are therefore taken away from dealing with organised crime, family violence, emergency management, public order and road policing.
“Let me say – we’re not walking away from investigating crimes. But our message is – don’t make it that easy for criminals.
“Everyone has a role to play. If we expect people to lock their doors and windows to prevent burglary, then we expect industries to crime-proof their service practices so that they don’t put profit ahead of their responsibilities to the community.”
The local area commanders in charge of each police service area have provided a written commentary accompanying the statistics. To view them visit My Place at www.vicpolicenews.com.au/my-place.html
22 November 2013 – Armed Robbery – Newsagency – Launceston
Published November 29, 2013 | Launceston Detectives are investigating an armed robbery that occurred at Wellington News and Lotto, Wellington Street, Launceston at 5:50pm on 21 November 2013.
An unknown male has entered the store armed with a knife and demanded money from an employee. An amount of cash was removed before the male fled the scene in the company of another male.
Both males have fled across the southern outlet overpass at the end of Thistle Street. They were seen in the Keane Street, Glen Due Street area at around 5:55pm.
The male offender who entered the store is described as 175cm tall, medium build, black track pants, black hooded top, wearing sneakers, bandana covering face.
The second male is described as 160cm tall, medium build, dark brown curly hair, clean shaven, 16 -17yrs, dark clothing.
24 November 2013 – Armed Robbery – Newsagency – Thirroul
Published November 29, 2013 | Police are appealing for information from the public after a male attempted to rob a newsagency at knife point on the state’s south coast.
About 10.15am today, (Sunday 24 November, 2013) a man entered a newsagency on Lawrence Hargreaves Dive, Thirroul and approached two female staff member
He produced a knife and asked the woman to hand over cash from the till. One of the women challenged the man and he left the store empty handed.
As he was leaving the store a male employee was entering. The man threatened him with the knife and ran from the store heading north along Roxburgh Street.
As a result of the incident no one was injured.
The man is described as being about 173cm tall, a slim to medium build, aged in his mid 30’s with a tanned complexion and unshaven. He was wearing a long sleeve grey hooded jacket, blue track pants and wearing a pair of mirrored sunglasses. The man also had a piece of silver duct tape stuck to the left side of his neck just above the collar bone.
Investigations are continuing.
