Overview
- Police arrested men aged 37 and 57 at a Glenthorne service station near Taree, refused them bail, and scheduled court appearances after a statewide probe.
- Detectives allege one offender lured mostly elderly women to raise their car bonnets while an accomplice stole wallets, cash, cards and phones from the cabin.
- Investigators have linked 18 incidents between January 3 and 7 across NSW, including Double Bay, Penrith, Newcastle, Wagga Wagga, Goulburn and Forster.
- Officers say they seized $6000 in cash, international passports, vehicle wires, phones, a laptop and money‑transfer receipts, with police reporting victim losses exceeding $50,000.
- Images of two additional men have been released as persons police wish to speak with, and the public is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.