Police ask for assistance following spate of East Coast robberies

Police have asked for public assistance following a spate of robberies on the East Coast.

On February 21 and 22, several businesses along the Tasman Highway were burglarised.

Venues included vineyard cellar doors and food outlets in the Apslawn, Cranbrook, Swansea and Bicheno areas, with forced entry to the premises and the theft of cash.

Detective Acting Sergeant Smith said police were pursuing several lines of inquiry.

“We believe the offender is likely the rider of a motorcycle and was using this vehicle to travel progressively from one location to the next,” he said.

“This may have caught someone’s attention, as it would likely have been late at night and riding a motorcycle on the highway at that time is unusual due to the high wildlife activity on East Coast roads at night.

“It’s possible the offender may have had a support vehicle for transporting some of the stolen property.

“We are asking any members of the public who may have noticed suspicious behaviour around businesses along the Tasman Highway on the East Coast, or have dashcam footage of a solo motorcycle rider in the Swansea and Bicheno areas late Saturday night, to contact police.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 131 444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperstas.com.au by quoting Case No.1803.