Police release CCTV after employee stabbed at Morpeth, pursuit at Edgeworth

Detectives have released fresh CCTV footage after a stabbing in the Hunter Region and a police pursuit across Lake Macquarie which they believe are linked, as a manhunt is underway.

A stabbing and police pursuit occurring within 24 hours are believed to be linked with a manhunt underway for the alleged offenders.

Detectives have released CCTV vision and are appealing for public information in the case after the incidents at Morpeth and Edgeworth.

About 5.15am on January 20, three men, one of who was armed with a knife, entered a service station at Swan St, Morpeth, and stole cash from the register.

The attendant, a 47-year-old man, confronted the group, before he was allegedly punched in the face and stabbed in the abdomen.

Police say the group then fled the scene in a stolen white Subaru Liberty.

Detectives are appealing for public information after an alleged armed robbery at a service station in the state’s Hunter Region earlier this month. Picture: NSW Police

The employee was treated at the scene by before being taken to John Hunter Hospital, and he has since been released.

About 2.40am the following morning, Macquarie Police District was notified of a group of men in the Edgeworth area attempting to break into parked cars.

Officers attended and sighted the stolen white Subaru Liberty travelling eastbound at Northville Drive.

A statement from police said the driver failed to stop as directed and a pursuit of the vehicle was initiated, travelling through Speers Point, Boolaroo and Toronto, before being terminated due to the manner of driving.

Police found a knife in a stolen Subaru, both items have been seized for forensic investigation. Picture: NSW Police

About 5am, the Subaru was located abandoned at Olney Street, Awaba. Inquiries identified that the vehicle was stolen from a property at Cameron Park on January 19 and in a search of the vehicle, police located a knife.

The Subaru and knife were seized for further forensic examination.

Local police conducted initial inquiries into the incidents, before detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad took carriage of the investigations under Strike Force Conge.

Detectives have released CCTV vision are appealing for public information after an employee was allegedly stabbed during an armed robbery at a service station in the state’s Hunter Region earlier this month. Picture: NSW Police

The armed robbery at Morpeth and the pursuit at Edgeworth are being treated as linked.

As inquiries continue, detectives have released CCTV vision of three men at Morpeth who may be able to assist with ongoing investigations.

One man is depicted in the CCTV as wearing a beige hooded-jumper, maroon pants, black shoes and a red cap.

The second man is depicted wearing a navy long-sleeved shirt with a white and red print on the front, navy pants, a navy cap and blue running shoes.

Police have created Strike Force Conge to investigate the two incidents which they believe are linked. Picture: NSW Police

The third man is depicted wearing jean shorts, a grey hooded-jumper and white shoes.

Detectives have also released dashcam vision from a vehicle parked in vicinity of the police pursuit at Edgeworth, that depicts four men walking past.

Police are urging anyone with information about the identity of the males to come forward immediately or contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.