A Wagga taxi driver, 74, was assaulted by four men armed with a gun, leaving him with a broken nose.
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The Tuesday morning incident is the second armed robbery of a taxi in the past week.
Riverina Police District Superintendent Bob Noble said a taxi driver was stationary in his vehicle at a taxi rank outside Kooringal Mall.
“Around 6am, police were called to the scene of another armed robbery,” he said.
“He [the taxi driver] was approached by four male persons of interest.
“One of those males produced a firearm described as a double-barrel shotgun and he was robbed and a sum of cash was taken and also regrettably the taxi driver was assaulted and taken to hospital with a suspected broken nose.”
The taxi driver was discharged from Wagga Base Hospital mid-morning.
Superintendent Noble said he believed the injury sustained was due to a punch from one of the perpetrators and could not confirm if the gun was used to break the window on the driver’s side.
“They [the perpetrators] went to some lengths to disguise their appearance” he said.
“They fled for some distance on foot and then escaped in two vehicles.”
One of the cars is described as possibly a silver Ford Falcon sedan and the other as a silver sedan with no other description.
“Operation Bulwark, which was established last year to combat property crime, has been expanded and broadened to target a suspected cohort of offenders,” Superintendent Noble said.
NSW Taxi Council deputy chief executive Nick Abrahim said an operator from Wagga Taxis notified him within a few hours of the incident, while with the victim in hospital.
“Our first priority is the safety and wellbeing of the driver,” he said.
“We did discuss measures of how we can help improve driver awareness and education of how to protect themselves and remain vigilant.
“Particularly throughout the night and early morning.”
Mr Abrahim said it was a distressing situation that placed the victims under duress.
“It’s a timely reminder that we might need to do further education as we have seen two incidents in a week in one area,” he said.
“We will be working with local and state police to actively help drive down these incidents and we value the work done by emergency services.
“The footage has already been downloaded to assist police.”
Mr Abrahim said despite these incidents there is no discussion about pulling drivers from late night or early morning shifts.
“We don’t think that is an appropriate course of action and while this is serious and while we need to look at how we can mitigate these incidents, cancelling service is not the answer,” he said.
“Wagga Taxis pride themselves on the 24-hour service it offers to the community.
“In places like Wagga, taxis are often the only mode of transport.”
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Superintendent Noble said police are not ruling out links between the attack on the cab and the five other break and enters in the city on Monday night.
“One of those was in Hardy Avenue and two male offenders entered the dwelling and the male occupant chased those offenders away...with a bass guitar,” he said.
“I suspect there is linkage and we certainly had an active night.”
Monday night’s incidents follow a spate nine break-ins targeting Wagga homes and businesses over the weekend. Superintendent Noble said police are working with 24-hour shift workers to ensure they fortify themselves against attacks.
Superintendent Noble said anyone who knows anything is urged to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or Wagga Police Station.
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