Ray Watson spent many years at the sharp end of an extraordinary period in Australian crime.

It’s hard to imagine now because they are so rare but, in 1987, there were more than 500 bank robberies across Australia.

Dangerous crooks like Badness Binse, The Postcard Bandit, and prison escapee Peter Gibb along with outfits like the Sledgehammer Gang were regularly pulling in big sums with dramatic heists.

Through the 1980’s and 1990’s Mr Watson was a member of the Victoria Police armed robbery squad and eventually served as its officer-in-charge.

Watson recounts his run-ins with infamous killers, thugs and bandits in a new series Tales from the Robbers. Every Monday and Tuesday, read his first-hand account of gripping crimes that shook Victoria and listen to the tactics his squad used on the frontline.

A QUIET BEER BEFORE HOSTILITIES ARE RESUMED

What is a detective to do when a major investigation hits a wall? You meet the prime suspect for a beer and try and win him over to the good side. Read now.

A POLITE AND ELDERLEY BANDIT

It has never been clear why his body washed up one day, without his testicles.

But before his unfortunate demise Aubrey Maruice Broughill was an extremely polite - and somewhat elusive - bank robber. Read now.

A GRAB BAG OF THUGS AND LOWLIFES

From Australia’s first lone female bank robber to an crafty escapologist who liked to taunt police (including Watson) with cards and letters, there’s an assortment of cool customers and lowlife thugs that cross every detective’s path. Read now.

INSIDE THE ILL-FATED TULLAMARINE AIRPORT HEIST

The prime suspects for a $400,000 heist were a couple of ‘low blowies’ with no redeeming features. And when an anonymous tip came about their next planned job at Melbourne Airport, it would take a high-stakes ploy to foil it. Read now.

THE MOST OBNOXIOUS CROOK I EVER MET

Watson never forgot his first run-in with obnoxious killer and jailhouse lawyer Hugo Rich. The scheming crim was rude, offensive and disagreeable - and that was just the good stuff. Read now.

A CHRISTMAS EVE KILLING IN THE LINE OF DUTY

That fact he was seen driving around in an exotic sports coupe and waterskiing on the Maribyrnong River was a pretty strong clue that Mark Militano had come into a bit of coin of late. But when detectives went to arrest him for a series of hold ups, he rolled from his car holding a revolver - and sealed his own fate. Read now.

THE BOMBER THAT COULDN’T WAIT TO CONFESS

After arresting one of the Russell St police station bombers, Watson was surprised to find him more than willing to confess to 20 robberies - and to more crimes police didn’t even know about. Read now.