Police say an armed man was arrested on Saturday morning before being taken to Lismore Police Station, where he was charged over multiple serious offences across the state, including deliberately setting fire to the cathedral in Lismore.
Officers from Richmond Police District attempted to speak to the 45-year-old man on Magellan Street about 10.40am (Saturday 19 September 2020), when he allegedly armed himself with a knife and threatened them.
A perimeter was established, and police deployed a taser, before arresting the man and seizing the knife.
Carjacking in Griffith
Earlier in the week at about 4.15pm on Monday 14 September, 2020, a 20-year-old woman was approached by a man in a car park on Canal Street, Griffith.
Police say the man threatened the woman with a knife before demanding she give him her car keys. He fled the area in her Volkswagen Polo, along with her handbag containing personal items.
The woman, who wasn’t injured, contacted police and officers from Murrumbidgee Police District attended and commenced inquiries.
Following the carjacking, police allege the man committed further theft and fraud offences in both the Griffith and Dubbo regions.
On Tuesday (15 September), a 23-year-old woman was approached by a man outside a shopping centre at Hornsby.
The man threatened the girl with a large knife, demanding she hand over her cash. The girl managed to flee, and the man left empty-handed.
Lismore Cathedral fire links four incidents
About 6.30am on Friday (18 September), police responded to a large fire at a cathedral in Lismore.
Multiple fire crews managed to extinguish the blaze, which appeared to have been deliberately lit.
Detectives from Richmond Police District commenced an investigation into the fire and, following inquiries, determined that all four incidents were linked.
Following further inquiries, detectives located and arrested a 45-year-old man in Magellan Street at Lismore about 10.45am yesterday (Saturday 19 September 2020).
The man was taken to Lismore Police Station where he was charged with:
– Damage property by fire;
– Use etc offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention;
– Robbery armed with offensive weapon;
– Assault with intent to rob armed with offensive weapon (x2)
– Dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception (x2); and
– Larceny.
He was bail refused to appear at Lismore Bail Court this morning (Sunday 20 September ).
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