The Hills $750k jewellery heists: Craig Polkinghorne faces court
A man will face court over a string of alleged jewellery robberies carried out across northwest Sydney.
Hills Shire
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A man charged with stealing prescription medication, cash and jewellery to the value of $750,000 by entering the roofs of shopping centres, will face court today.
Between May and December last year, police allege Craig Polkinghorne, 43, of Baulkham Hills, broke into several pharmacy and jewellery stores in Baulkham Hills, North Rocks and Winston Hills.
A NSW Police spokeswoman said Strike Force Kokanee conducted extensive investigations into the incident.
“In each of the incidents, it’s alleged a man broke in to the premises through the roof of shopping centres before stealing property including cash, jewellery valued at $750,000, and prescription medication,” the spokeswoman said.
Break-ins occurred at a pharmacy in a shopping centre on Olive Street, Baulkham Hills, about 3am on May 20, 2019 and again at about 12.15am on Christmas Day.
A jeweller in the same shopping centre was broken into at about 1.30am on June 2, 2019 and again at 2.30am on July 5, 2019.
On August 4 a jeweller at a shopping centre on North Rocks Rd, North Rocks was broken into at about 2.30am, while another incident occurred at a jeweller in a shopping centre on Century Cct, Baulkham Hills, at about 4.15am on November 7, 2019.
A barber at a shopping mall in Caroline Chisholm Dr, Winston Hills was broken into at 2.30am on November 23, 2019 and a jeweller in the same mall was targeted in a break-in on December 12.
Police allege Polkinghorne also attempted to break into a jeweller in a shopping centre he had targeted previously in North Rocks, at about 3am on Monday, January 6.
NSW Robbery and Serious Crime Squad’s Detective Acting Superintendent, Paul Smith described the break-ins as “well thought out”.
“We allege the man entered the roof of shopping centres and entered various shops including jewellers and pharmacies,” Supt Smith said.
“Extensive inquiries have been made by Strike Force Kokanee and a 43-year-old man was arrested at his Baulkham Hills address around 6.30am.
“A search warrant that was carried out on the premises uncovered a large amount of jewellery.”
A legal aid representative said the 43-year-old was charged with a number of serious offences.
“There is no application for bail and there will be an application to move the matters to the drug court with possible pleas of guilty to all charges,” he said.
Polkinghorne, a stonemason, was refused bail and will return to Parramatta Court on January 16.
