Thieves threw faeces at victims before robbing them at ATMs

Detectives in Australia are hunting a gang of men behind a string of vile street robberies across Sydney in which they threw faeces on their victims. It's believed the offenders watch their victims withdraw large sums of cash from financial institutions before distracting them by hurling excrement on their backs. They then offer to help clean up their victims before robbing them.

Burwood Detectives are conducting inquiries into an incident at Wareemba, in Sydney’s inner-west, yesterday, April 12 in which an 82-year-old man had more than $8000 swiped from his pocket. The man and his wife had just withdrawn the money from a local bank when they were attacked. The couple was then approached by up to four men who offered to help them clean their clothes.



A short time later, the victims discovered the cash had been stolen. Similar incidents which occurred at Hurstville, in Sydney’s south, and Lakemba, in Sydney’s south-west, are also under investigation by police. On Thursday, April 5, a 50-year-old man was robbed of $30,000 after visiting a bank located inside a major Hurstville shopping centre; and a 69-year-old man had $3,500 taken from him after leaving a bank on Haldon Street, Lakemba, on Thursday, March 22.

Detectives are now appealing for public assistance as they continue their investigations. They have also released closed-circuit television images of a number of males they believe might be able to assist with their inquiries. Burwood Crime Manager, Detective Acting Inspector James Deeley has warned the public to be extra vigilant about their personal security. "These robberies are vile and sickening in their nature and we are doing everything we can to catch those responsible,” Detective Inspector Deeley said.