NSW Police hunt caped crusader terrorising regional NSW town
It might seem comical but police are adamant this caped crusader is no laughing matter after a string of robberies in the NSW’s central west, one involving the use of a rifle and knife to tie up a pub employee.
NSW
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A limping man wearing a black flowing cape and a mask who is armed with a rifle and large knife is being hunted by NSW Police after he tied up a pub employee during a robbery in the state’s central west.
Police today released footage of the caped bandit believed to have also carried out two other failed attempted robberies last month in Orange.
Police also revealed they have possession of a rifle they believe was used in the armed robbery.
While police admit the man’s get up may seem amusing the use of weapons in a robbery was quite concerning.
“It must be remembered this offender was armed, tied up and terrified a hotel employee. We now are carrying out tests on a weapon we believe was used in that robbery,’’ said Detective Chief Inspector Bruce Grassick.
“We believe someone will recognise the man in the CCTV footage who walks with a pronounced gate from a medical condition or injury. While we have no idea why he wears the cape there is a possibility someone might recognise the attire being worn by this person in a social setting.”
Strike Force Naimo was set up following two break-ins and the armed robbery where the caped offender is filmed on each occasion.
The first was about 5.15am on June 29 when he forced entry to the front door of a golf club in nearby Bloomfield.
CCTV footage shows him trying to steal what he thought was an ATM but was a machine used to check card identifications. He left without the machine.
Two weeks later between 2.45am and 5.30am on July 13 the bandit was at it again when he got into a supermarket on Peisley Street, Orange.
CCTV footage shows him attempting to open an ATM for about an hour, before leaving empty-handed.
The following Saturday on July 13 at 5.15am he donned his cape and mask again but this time is seen to have a rifle and knife used to threaten an employee at a hotel on Bathurst Road, Orange.
Again, he spent a considerable amount of time trying to break into an ATM and poker machine without success but escaped with a sum of money from behind the bar.
He was seen jumping a fence beside the hotel carpark backing onto the railway line and walking down the rail corridor which is a route he has used before in the other attempted robberies.