Just after midnight on Thursday 15 July 2010, an offender attempted to gain entry through the roof of the BP Service Station on Wyndham Road at Claremont. However, an alarm was activated and the offender fled the area. An employee who responded to the alarm decided to remain at the business and continue with some work after attending police left.

Three hours later the 50-year-old employee was confronted by a male carrying a jemmy bar who demanded access to the safe. The employee refused and was assaulted by being struck to the body with the jemmy bar. A physical confrontation then occurred, with the employee at some stage banging the offender’s head into a shelf and pulling up the balaclava he was wearing. The offender, however, managed to take hold of a knife at the premises and threatened to kill the employee, at which time the confrontation concluded and access was provided to the safe. An amount of cash was then taken before the offender ran in the direction of Bristol Road Claremont.

The offender is described as 177 cm (5’10”) tall, reasonably solid build with a birth mark or mole on one of his cheeks. He has an olive complexion and was wearing dark track pants and a dark hooded top with no markings.

Investigations currently indicate the offender who attempted to gain entry to the service station through the roof is the same as the armed offender.

The initial attempted burglary on the service station is similar in nature to three other burglaries under investigation at Glenorchy where entry has been gained through the roof.

Detective Inspector David Plumpton
(03) 6230 2821

Tasmania Police Media and Marketing Services
(03) 6230 2296