POLICE are appealing for information from the public after an armed robbery and car thefts in Armidale last Thursday.
The first incident occurred about 1.30am at the Caltex service station on Queen Elizabeth Drive.
Police were told two men, with their faces covered, confronted the woman attendant.
They threatened her with a knife, demanding cigarettes and cash from the till. She complied and they ran from the area.
Police recovered a stolen vehicle later that morning in nearby Alexander Street. It was seized for forensic examination.
Police are seeking information about two offenders – the first man was described as about 168cm tall, with a medium build, dark eyes, and aged in his late teens to early 20s.
He was wearing a dark long sleeve shirt and dark long pants. His face was covered with a blue cloth. He was also in possession of a kitchen-style knife.
The second man was described as about 170cm tall and heavy set. He was wearing a light blue long sleeve top and light blue long pants. He had a black balaclava or similar covering his face.
The second incident occurred about 4am at the University of New England.
A university security guard approached two men who appeared to be attempting to break into a vehicle.
One of the men punched the security guard in the face and he fell to the ground.
The two men got into the security guard’s car, left running nearby, and drove away.
Later that morning police received a report of a vehicle fitting that description hitting the rear of another vehicle along Glen Innes Road.
The security vehicle was found later that morning, on fire, in Mann Street.
Police established crime scenes at the two locations and are investigating whether or not the offences were linked.
In the university incident, the first man was described as Aboriginal in appearance, dark skinned with prominent lips, a thin build and aged in his early 20s. He was wearing a black hooded jumper.
The second man was described as Aboriginal in appearance with a large obese build, about 168cms tall with short dark hair, aged in his early 20s. He was wearing grey track pants and no shirt.
Police are urging anyone with information about the incidents to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
