Pensioner ‘a full-blown alcoholic’ when he allegedly robbed banks 40 years ago

A 69-year-old eastern suburbs pensioner arrested on Thursday over 40-year-old bank robberies in Sydney was “a full-blown alcoholic” at the time, a court has heard.

The pensioner was arrested in Edgecliff.

Ross McCarty was “a full-blown alcoholic” when he allegedly robbed eight banks 40 years ago — a string of alleged crimes which finally caught up with the married pensioner this morning.

McCarty, 69, allegedly admitted to police he slid notes to bank tellers indicating he had a gun and wanted cash at branches across the CBD and Chatswood, between June 3, 1977, and March 9, 1978.

He was stunned to see detectives at the door of his Edgcliffe flat at 7am Thursday, and later that day Waverley Local Court heard his wife of 47 years had no knowledge of the alleged robberies.

Police said the man and his wife were shocked at his arrest. Picture: NSW Police

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“He says, at the time he committed these offences he was a full blown alcoholic,” his solicitor Mark Klees told the court.

“Most of the offences occurred after lunch, after he had been consuming significant amounts of alcohol.”

Police made the arrest in the cold case robberies when they ran fingerprints found on one of the threatening notes, through a database. Police will allege the prints were a match with McCarty, who was jailed on fraud offences in November 2017.

He was charged with eight counts of robbery and applied unsuccessfully for bail in court on Thursday, where he waved to his distressed wife and sister-in-law from the dock.

The man was taken to Waverley Police Station and charged with eight counts of robbery. Picture: NSW Police

The person who police were looking for became known as the “Polite Bandit” for his manner during the robberies, but Magistrate Michael Barco said the experiences would have been terrifying for bank staff.

“Some of them were told their heads would be blown off, I wonder how they have managed in the years after these robberies,” Mr Barco said.

In denying bail he said criminals could not escape their offending “simply by the passage of time”.

Court documents showed each of the alleged robberies yielded $2000 or less, with a total sum of $8893.

The target institutions included Bank of NSW, the Commercial Bank Company, ANZ Bank and Rural Bank.

The man faced Waverley Local Court on Thursday. Picture: NSW Police

The court heard the case against McCarthy, who suffered depression, ADHD and severe kidney problems, and had no money, was extremely strong and would likely result in a full-time jail sentence.

Robbery and Serious Crime Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty said advancements in fingerprinting enabled the breakthrough.

“Our detectives have re-examined these matters and have utilised all the new technologies and resources at our disposal to put a man before the courts,” Supt Doherty said.

“The message today is clear — it doesn’t matter if it takes 40 years, 40 days or 40 minutes, we will track you down.”

McCarty’s case was adjourned to Central Local Court on February 14.

Police said the arrest sent a clear message to criminals that they are never safe from being caught — even 40 years later.