THE hunt is on for three armed robbers who terrorised workers at two Armidale fast-food outlets under the cover of darkness.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The three men – who all covered their faces – stormed into the Domino’s Pizza shop on Queen Elizabeth Dr about 10.20pm before fleeing with cash.
In the second attack, three men – all dressed in dark clothing and armed with a knife – ambushed a lone 22-year-old female McDonald’s employee who was arriving at work.
New England crime manager Detective Inspector Ann Joy said officers had been combing the scenes for witnesses.
“None of the employees were injured as a result of this incident, but it’s an incident of concern to police in terms of the actions,” she said.
Three Domino’s workers were inside when the armed robbers hit the shop on Tuesday night.
“Three offenders have entered the store, all dressed in dark clothing and faces covered, all armed, two with knives, and threatened staff and demanded money,” Detective Inspector Joy said.
“As a result of those threats the offenders have obtained a small amount of cash prior to leaving the premises on foot.”
The men also took cash from a female staffer’s handbag before they fled.
Less than seven hours later, the lone McDonald’s worker was confronted after she got out of her car in the restaurant’s car park about 5am.
“She was threatened by one male in possession of a knife and property was demanded,” Detective Inspector Joy said.
“As a result of that confrontation they obtained a key to her motor vehicle and left in possession of her red Commodore sedan.”
Police warned the public yesterday morning not to approach the stolen vehicle, before it was found abandoned yesterday afternoon and seized for forensic examination.
Detectives have canvassed the area for witnesses and have been examining security surveillance from a number of shops in a bid to identify the three men responsible.
Only one knife was sighted during the second incident but police aren’t ruling out any links between the two.
“One of our lines of inquiry is certainly looking at whether the two incidents are linked, but there is nothing to confirm that at this stage,” Detective Inspector Joy said.
