Police have released CCTV and deployed additional patrols as the hunt for an armed man targeting women in Sydney’s north-west enters its second day.
Police have received reports four women walking alone were approached from behind by a man who threatened them for their belongings in Northmead, Toongabbie and North Parramatta within the span of 45 minutes to about 6.05am yesterday.
In three of those instances, he was armed with a flick-knife or hammer.
Superintendent Barry Vincent said all the women reported a man of similar description – dressed in dark clothing and a balaclava, with a medium build, olive skin and aged in his late teens or early 20s.
He said the man is believed to be acting alone and police are probing any connection to a series of break-ins in the area yesterday and over the weekend.
CCTV footage of a man has been released in an attempt to find him.
“We’re calling on any members of the public that may have any information relating to that image and the person depicted within it to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Paramatta police,” Vincent said at a press conference today.
“We urge members of the community not to approach this male given the seriousness of the offences that are alleged to have occurred, to contact police and, if urgent, contact triple zero.”
Vincent also urged homeowners to check their cameras for any vision that may help while additional police cars patrol the area today and until he is caught.
“For community members, I ask they take care, walk in more brightly lit areas,” he said.
Vincent said the targeting of women appears opportunistic in nature but the man’s motive remains unknown.
The crime spree began about 4am yesterday, when police received reports of a man trespassing on several properties in Northmead.
About an hour later, a petrol station on Windsor Road in North Rocks reported a white Mitsubishi Outlander SUV had been stolen while the owner was inside the store.
Shortly after, a 47-year-old woman was allegedly confronted and robbed of her bag and personal items on Mons Road in Northmead.
The man is reported to have fled the scene, believed to be driving the stolen car.
While officers were responding, a 19-year-old woman was also allegedly approached by the man and threatened with a flick-knife for her items on Junia Avenue in Toongabbie.
About five minutes later, the same car stopped near a 49-year-old woman walking on Toongabbie Road towards the intersection of Octavia Street in Toongabbie.
The man got out and allegedly threatened the woman with a hammer before stealing her backpack.
A short time later, a 27-year-old woman was allegedly confronted on North Rocks Road in North Parramatta and threatened with a hammer for her items.
Two men known to her tracked her allegedly stolen phone to the nearby intersection at North Rocks Road and William Place when the man approached their car and smashed the windscreen with a hammer and assaulted one of the men.
Vincent said there had been no further sightings of the man today.
He added that most of the stolen items and the SUV had been recovered.