10/17/2021- 7:02 p.m.
Police are appealing for public assistance after an attempted robbery in Strathfield yesterday.
Police were told about 12.45pm (Sunday 17 October 2021), an unknown male approached a group of women sitting inside a café on Albert Road, Strathfield, when he allegedly picked up a handbag and placed it inside his backpack.
One woman – aged 65 – attempted to grab the backpack off the man before a struggle ensued and the man tried to leave the café.
The woman held onto the backpack and was dragged along the floor before a second woman – aged 78 – was knocked to the ground, hitting her head. The man ran from the scene, leaving behind the backpack and handbag.
A number of patrons attempted to intervene and reported the incident to police.
The older woman was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Concord Hospital with head injuries, where she remains.
Officers attached to Auburn Police Area Command attended and commenced an investigation into the incident.
As inquiries continue, police have released images of a man they would like to speak to.
He is described as being of Aboriginal/ Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 40 years old. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a white shirt, grey shorts and trainers.
He is depicted in the images without a shirt, which came off during the struggle inside the café.
Police believe the man boarded a Penrith-bound train on platform six at Strathfield station not long after the incident.
He alighted at Rooty Hill Railway Station about 1.35pm.
Anyone who may information regarding the man depicted in the CCTV, or any information on the incident, is urged to contact Auburn Police.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
