A man will face court on Sunday charged over multiple serious offences across NSW this week, including an armed carjacking in Griffith and deliberately setting fire to a cathedral at Lismore.
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The 45-year-old was arrested on Magellan Street in Lismore about 10.45am on Saturday.
Officers were forced to use a Taser to subdue the man after he allegedly threatened officers with a large knife.
Police will allege in court the man was responsible for a crime spree across the Riverina, Central West, Sydney and Northern Rivers regions of NSW.
About 4.15pm on Monday, a 20-year-old woman was approached by a man in a car park on Canal Street in Griffith.
Police allege the man threatened the woman with a knife before demanding she give him the car keys.
He fled the area in her Volkswagen Polo, along with her handbag containing personal items.
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The woman, who wasn't injured, contacted police and a Murrumbidgee Police District-led investigation began.
Following the carjacking, it's alleged the man committed further theft and fraud offences in the Griffith and Dubbo regions.
Police said the man approached a 23-year-old woman outside a shopping centre at Hornsby on Tuesday, threatening her with a large knife and demanding she hand over her cash.
The girl managed to flee, and the man left empty-handed.
About 6.30am on Friday, police responded to a large fire at a cathedral in Lismore.
Multiple fire crews managed to extinguish the blaze, which is alleged to have been deliberately lit.
Detectives from Richmond Police District launched an investigation into the fire and, following inquiries, determined that all four incidents were allegedly linked.
Following his arrest on Saturday, the man was was taken to Lismore police station and charged with eight offences: damaging property by fire, using an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, robbery armed with offensive weapon, larceny, two counts of assault with intent to rob armed with offensive weapon, and two counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception.
He was bail refused to appear at Lismore Bail Court on Sunday.
Andrew Pearson
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
