Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives have extradited and charged a wanted man from Queensland over two historic bank robberies almost 30 years ago.
About 3:30pm on Monday 28 October 1996, an unknown man allegedly entered a bank in Coonabarabran armed with a shotgun and demanded cash from staff.
He allegedly took a female customer hostage to secure his escape, holding her until he reached his motorcycle a short distance away.
Just before 5pm on Friday 10 January 1997, an unknown man allegedly entered a bank in Laurieton armed with a shotgun and directed staff to fill his duffle bag with cash.
He then took a bank employee hostage, escorting her out of the bank to his nearby getaway car before releasing her and fleeing the scene.
In 1997, NSW Police detectives obtained arrest warrants for a man – aged 47 at the time – for both incidents.
29 years later
On Monday 23 March 2026, with assistance from Queensland Police, a 76-year-old was arrested on the interstate warrants.
Yesterday (Tuesday 24 March 2026), detectives from State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives travelled to Queensland where they applied for and were granted the man’s extradition to NSW.
The 76-year-old was escorted to Tweed Heads Police Station, where he was charged with Robbery while armed with two counts of dangerous weapon, and two counts of detain for advantage without causing injury to victim.
He was refused bail to appear in Bail Division Local Court 1 today (Wednesday 25 March 2026).
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