Armidale detectives call for witnesses after Curtis St home invasion and Erskine Street robbery

Police said a man and woman in a Curtis St home in Armidale were uninjured when three males forced their way in on Sunday night.

The pair were inside about 7.30pm when three males tried to get in through the front.

“They were refused entry, and the offenders gained entry via a rear window but the victims managed to run off and escaped through another window,” New England Acting Inspector Stuart Gray told Fairfax Media.

“No one was injured.

“Police attended and established a crime scene.”

Detectives have taken over the investigation and are “following a number of lines of inquiry”.

“Police do not believe this was random, this appears to be a targeted incident and investigations are continuing,” Acting Inspector Gray said.

Meanwhile, detectives are also investigating after a man was robbed of his mobile phone on Sunday night near the Armidale CBD.

The robbery occurred when the 18-year-old was walking across the intersection of Erskine and Marsh Streets about 7.50pm.

“The 18-year-old male was walking across the intersection when he was approached by two males, one described as being Aboriginal in appearance and the other as Caucasian in appearance,” Acting Inspector Gray said.

“One male produced a weapon and demanded items from the victim.”

Police said the weapon is described as being a blade and is believed to be a knife.

The teenager handed over a mobile phone and the offenders fled, last seen heading west along Erskine St.

The teenager wasn’t injured but police are calling for witnesses, including anyone who may have been driving in the area.

One of the males is described as being Caucasian in appearance, with dark hair, aged 20-25, about 165cm tall and was last seen wearing red shorts.

The second male is believed to be Aboriginal in appearance, similar age with a beard, about 180cm tall and was wearing a white hooded jumper.

“Anyone with information on either of the incidents, or who witnessed suspicious activity around the time, is urged to contact Armidale detectives on 6771 0699 or Crime Stoppers,” Acting Inspector Gray said.