Police continue search for notorious Bicycle Bandit as Operation Heat targets five cold-case armed robberies
A top-level police operation is probing some of SA’s most notorious cold-case armed robberies, with one already solved. See the list – you might have the crucial clue needed.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
South Australia’s infamous Bicycle Bandit bank robber may well be enjoying his retirement – but that could be disrupted at any time.
Despite the fact the last of his11 known bank robberies occurred nine years ago, Serious and Organised Crime Branch detectives are still pursuing active leads in the cold-case inquiry.
It can also be revealed the case has been reviewed several times to ensure existing evidence is further developed and if any new opportunities were available to advance the inquiry.
Despite a $100,000 reward being offered for information to help identify the bandit, little valuable information has been forthcoming – which indicates the offender has either not shared his secrets with anyone or those who do have knowledge may be too scared to come forward.
Serious and Organised Crime Branch Detective Superintendent Denise Gray said police were continually receiving information relating to the inquiry – including possible suspects – which was taken seriously and investigated as it emerged.
“And we look for opportunities, such as with the DNA profile, to advance the inquiry,’’ she said.
“With DNA there are lots of technologies and there lots of things being used around the world we are looking at.
“And there are now a lot more offences for which DNA can now be taken, such as driving offences for example.’’
The Bicycle Bandit’s reign of terror started in May 2004 when he robbed the ANZ bank at Mannum. Over the ensuing decade he would strike another 10 times throughout the Adelaide Hills and as far north as Balaklava and as far south as Willunga.
His robberies, which traumatised dozens of bank staff who were threatened at gunpoint, netted him more than $250,000 in cash.
He gained his nickname via his unusual method of escape in four of the hold-ups – a bicycle. In the remainder he escaped on foot to strategically placed getaway vehicles that included a white Mitsubishi Magna on several occasions and a silver or grey Subaru Forester 4WD in his last two robberies.
Detectives have two significant pieces of evidence that may one day end the Bicycle Bandit’s retirement – his DNA profile and a recording of his voice.
The armed robber’s DNA was obtained following his hit on the ANZ bank at Balaklava in June 2008. He was being pursued by a local uniformed police officer who responded to the alarm and while jumping a fence at the rear of the bank cut his hand or arm, leaving a spray of blood behind.
At the time detectives were confident the case was close to being solved, quite rightly figuring the likelihood of the bandit’s DNA already being on the database was extremely high because of both the extreme nature and volume of his offending.
However, this hope proved to be disappointingly false with no hit recorded on either the national database or those internationally over the past 15 years.
The second major piece of evidence, his voice recording, was obtained when he robbed the BankSA branch at Mt Pleasant in July 2007 – his second of three robberies on the same branch. Fortunately, a staff member was on the telephone to Telstra sorting out a mobile phone problem when he burst into the bank.
For the entire 90 seconds he was in the bank yelling instructions to staff to fill his green bag with cash, his demands were recorded because the staff member simply put the telephone down as instructed.
Once again, detectives were confident it would result in a breakthrough after it was widely played through the media, but despite several promising leads there was no result.
Detective Superintendent Gray said there were multiple theories on why the robberies had suddenly stopped.
They included that he may simply have stopped because of the forensic evidence police obtained, he may have died or he may have simply moved interstate or overseas.
While many, many individuals have at some stage of the lengthy inquiry been nominated as a person or interest or even a suspect, all have been eliminated as a result of protracted inquiries.
“There is not one person we would say we have kept track of,’’ she said.
Detective Superintendent Gray said it was highly likely someone in the community had knowledge that could assist police and urged them to come forward.
“It could be that someone is frightened or intimidated – they are just too scared to come forward. Those threats are real to that person, or they could be a relative and just don’t want to say who it is,’’ she said.
“But people can remain anonymous through Crimestoppers.’’
The Bicycle Bandit is described as caucasian, about 180cm-186cm tall and of medium to stocky build with a fair complexion and a strong Australian accent.
While committing the robberies he was wearing a dark balaclava and/or a motorcycle helmet, dark-coloured waterproof jacket, full-length dark-coloured cargo pants and white shoes.
In each robbery he has been armed either with a shotgun or a semiautomatic SKS style assault rifle.
Detectives believe it is possible the man may have worked in the banking industry or perhaps for an armoured car company because of his knowledge of banking procedures and terminology.
In one holdup he urged staff to retrieve money from the “treasury’’ – the bank’s vault.
The value in reviewing and reinvestigating cold-case hold-ups has been clearly illustrated with Operation Heat, the latest cold-case investigation initiative being conducted by Serious and Organised Crime Branch detectives.
Launched in April, it is initially probing five armed robberies dating back to 2007. They include attempted hold-ups on two banks and armed robberies on hotels and gaming rooms. Other cold-case robberies will likely be added to the list as the operation continues.
Since the operation was launched detectives have charged a man, 38, with aggravated robbery and reported his female partner, also 38, with the same offence in connection with the armed holdup of the Globe Bar and Gaming complex at the Globe Derby trotting track in May last year.
Detective Superintendent Gray said detectives were closing in on other suspects for the other four robberies following renewed investigations as part of the operation.
“We review all historic robberies and we had a number we thought we were really close to getting results on, but we just needed that bit extra,’’ she said.
Detective Superintendent Gray said such operations were significant for two reasons, the first being to bring the offenders to justice to prevent further crimes and the second for the victims.
“It would be unusual for a person to commit an armed robbery and then do nothing after, they do continue to offend,’’ she said.
“And it is for the victims because for some of these victims it is life changing, they can’t work in the industry they were once working in, particularly if it is a bank or a gaming room, they can no longer face working in those areas.
“And then there is the trauma for the victim’s family, a lot of people suffer post-traumatic stress and that has flow on effects for their family.’’
Detective Superintendent Gray said police were pleased with the public response following appeals in each of the incidents highlighted, and valuable information had assisted their investigations.
An example was the arrests in connection with the robbery at Globe Derby Park, which was made after fresh information resulted from an appeal, which added to existing police intelligence on the suspects.
She said there were people in the community who had information valuable to police, citing a female caller who had contacted Crimestoppers with information on the two bank robberies, at Magill and Klemzig in 2007, recently.
“This caller rang with information about some interstate offending, so we would like that caller to contact us again,’’ she said. “We are very close with these.’’
Detective Superintendent Gray said those responsible for the robberies should be aware the net was closing around them and consider their options.
“My message to those who may have perhaps committed a robbery in the past is that in the back of your mind you know the police can come for you at any time,’’ she said.
“Especially with the new technology and information sources we have and what a difference they can make to an old investigation.
“If you want to turn your life around, come and tell someone what you have done.’’
Anyone with any information on the Bicycle Bandit or the hold-ups being probed in Operation Heat is urged to contact Crimestoppers on 1800333000.
Operation Heat Cold Cases
Case 1: Globe Bar and Gaming robbery, May 2022
SOLVED
Just after 9pm on Wednesday, May 18 last year a man walked into the Globe Bar and Gaming complex at the Globe Derby trotting track and threatened two staff members with a machete.
The offender forced staff to open a safe and he then placed thousands of dollars into a duffel bag before escaping.
Despite a large search by police, which also involved Polair, the man – who was wearing a black hooded jumper, dark pants and had his face covered – was not located.
Renewed investigations by Operation Heat detectives have resulted in a man, 38, being charged with aggravated robbery and his female partner, also 38, being reported for the same offence.
Case 2: Midway Tavern robbery, June 2019
Just before 9am on Sunday, June 30, 2019, a man entered the gaming room of the Midway Tavern at Elizabeth Downs and mingled with other patrons for an extended period.
Despite images of his face being captured on CCTV during this period, he pulled a bandana over his face and then removed a baseball bat from his clothing and demanded money from staff.
He placed the cash in a black bag with the words “Boystown’’ printed on it before fleeing the scene on a BMX-style bicycle.
The man is described as caucasian, aged in his late 20s to 30s, of medium build and about 175cm tall.
He was wearing a black beanie, a grey jacket with black sleeves and black hooded top underneath, black pants and light-coloured gloves.
Case 3: St Francis Winery robbery, April 2019
At 12.20pm on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 a man entered the gaming area of the St Francis Winery at Old Reynella and threatened a staff member with a machete before taking money from a safe and till.
The man is described as of caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall and of medium build.
He was wearing a black long-sleeved top with a white motif on the back reading “Violent” and black shorts with an Everlast logo on one leg and black and white running shoes.
He had also covered his face with a bandana and was wearing a brimmed straw hat. He was carrying a backpack with a green stripe on the zip line.
Police believe a white Holden Statesman seen pulling away from the verge on Main South Rd 100m south of the winery may be involved.
It had stolen Victorian registration plates UKS305. The vehicle was last seen travelling west along Sheriffs Road at Reynella.
Police have released photographs of the vehicle and a man suspected of being its driver at the time of the robbery.
Case 4: Cove Tavern robbery, August 2014
About 10pm on August 18, 2014, a man burst into the Cove Tavern at Hallett Cove and threatened staff in the gaming room with a sawn-off double-barrel shotgun.
After stealing a large amount of cash he left the scene in a Holden Commodore sedan.
The man is described as about 195cm tall, of stocky build with a slight pot belly and he was wearing a long-sleeved jumper with stripes down the arms over a red/orange Everlast T-shirt worn inside out and black tracksuit pants with stripes down each leg.
He was also wearing gloves and had his head and face covered.
Case 5: Attempted bank robberies at Klemzig and Magill, July 2007
Detectives suspect the same man was responsible for attempting to rob two banks in the same week in July 2007.
The first occurred on the morning of Friday, July 13 when the man entered the Commonwealth Bank on North East Road at Klemzig and demanded money after telling staff he was armed with a firearm.
He was earlier captured on CCTV after walking into a nearby business.
On the morning of Monday, July 16, the same man attempted to rob the Bank SA branch at Magill.
He handed staff a note demanding money, but fled when staff activated security screens.
The man is described as caucasian and would now be aged in his 40s. He was about 175cm tall and had a receding hairline and would by now most likely be bald.
Woman dies in hospital after being hit by garbage truck
A 29-year-old woman hit by a garbage truck in SA’s north on Tuesday night has died in hospital from her injuries.
Read more
‘Police always here’: Neighbour speaks out after person shot
A person has been shot after a group of people entered a house in Adelaide’s north before 5pm on Thursday, with a neighbour saying that police are ‘always’ present at the house.
Read more