Police appeal for information on Bourke knifepoint attack

One of the offenders poses for the camera. Photo Snapchat

NSW Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Pisanos described the incident as ‘very serious, shocking and confronting’. Photo contributed

Bourke police are appealing to the public for information on the knifepoint break-enter-and-steal attack at Bourke’s Sunshine Garden Resort in February this year.

During the attack, a knife-wielding group filmed themselves threatening two abattoir workers in their motel room and posted the video to Snapchat.

After terrorising the workers, the group absconded with cash, mobile phones and bank cards.

Footage posted to Snapchat shows one of the alleged offenders dressed in black and holding a long knife while another man shows him his phone.

The video also shows another man on his knees clasping his hands while two others in a similar disguise pose for the camera with knives.

Bourke Mayor Lachlan Ford said that the incident was ‘terrible’ and showed how fearful people can be when threatened with knives.

Sydney’s radio 2GB reports that NSW Deputy Commissioner Paul Pisanos described the incident as ‘very serious’, saying “it’s hard to describe, I’ve watched it multiple times, it’s shocking, it’s confronting”.

Mr Pisanos is quoted as saying that “(it’s) why the Crimes Act was amended to include this posting and boasting performance crime offence to give police some tools…to be able to prosecute these matter.

Bourke Police were called to the Sunshine Gardens Resort on Anson Street just before 5am on Saturday morning 22 February, following reports of a break and enter.

They were told a group of about four unknown people armed with knives forced entry into the staff accommodation and threatened the occupant – a 24-year-old man – before stealing cash, bankcards and mobile phones. […]

Read more local news in the printed edition of The Western Herald.

To subscribe call (02) 6872 2333 today and receive The Western Herald in your letterbox next week!