Machete swung at police, two arrested

A teenager allegedly swung a machete at police as officers scrambled to arrest the young man after two violent alleged group armed robberies in Sydney’s south-west.

A group of five males were allegedly involved in robberies at a home and a business in Bankstown on Thursday night using a baseball bat and machete, before police were able to arrest two males.

As of Friday afternoon three other males have evaded police.

Bankstown Acting Commander, Darren Sly, called the group cowards.

“Hand yourself in before the police come knocking. Their actions are clearly cowardly,” Detective Sly said.

“Five men forcing their way into a home with weapons, that’s all they are cowards.”

The first robbery happened at a house on Judith Street, Chester Hill, about 7pm.

A group of five males forced their way in, Detective Sly said, assaulted a male occupant and stole mobile phones. The man was taken to hospital with facial injuries.

Then about 9.45pm, a group of five males using the same car and wearing the same clothes robbed a business on Christina Road, Villawood. The 62-year-old business owner was allegedly assaulted and the group fled with cash.

About 10pm police saw the blue Holden Barina they believed the group had been using, with two people in the car.

The pair allegedly ran, but one of them, a 19-year-old, allegedly swung a machete at police and fled the scene.

A 16-year-old Yagoona male was arrested in a nearby backyard.

The machete had been ditched as police gave chase, and the 19-year-old was eventually arrested, after police climbed over fences and backyards.

“The efforts of police were outstanding last night in difficult conditions,” Detective Sly said.

The 16-year-old was granted bail, having been charged with goods in personal custody suspected of being stolen (not motor vehicle), recklessly deal with proceeds of crime, receiving, and possessing a prohibited drug.

The 19-year-old was refused bail, charged with aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence-people there, and robbery in company.

The two males in custody were not cooperating, Detective Sly said.

Police have seized the Barina and are calling for anyone with information about the three people who evaded police, to come forward.

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