Advertisement

Pensioner accused of stealing thousands in bank heists

Working while receiving the pension can lead to some nasty surprises.

Working while receiving the pension can lead to some nasty surprises. Photo: Getty

A retiree who allegedly went on a spree of bank heists across Sydney more than 40 years ago has been charged with a ninth robbery.

Ross Oliver McCarty, from Edgecliff, was last year charged with threatening staff and stealing cash at eight banks between 1977 and 1978.

The 69-year-old faced Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday, with police alleging he also robbed an ANZ bank – on the corner of George and Liverpool streets – on May 12, 1977.

The alleged cash-grab of $1350 from the CBD robbery brings Mr McCarty’s alleged takings to $12,693.

According to court documents, police allege he also robbed various tellers at the Bank of New South Wales, Rural Bank, Commercial Banking Company of Sydney and the National Bank of Australasia (the latter two now known as NAB).

Mr McCarty’s alleged target locations included Haymarket, Chatswood, Ultimo and Sydney’s CBD. He is accused of taking between $450 and $2000 at a time.

The court previously heard advancements in fingerprint technology allowed detectives to re-examine the case and nab the accused.

“It doesn’t matter if it takes 40 years, 40 days or 40 minutes, we will track you down and you will have to answer for your crimes,” Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty said in Sydney in December.

He said Mr McCarty was now a retired pensioner “living off the radar” and was shocked when arrested. His wife was even more surprised.

Magistrate Carolyn Huntsman on Tuesday adjourned Mr McCarty’s case to the same court on May 28.

He remains on strict conditional bail.

-AAP

Stay informed, daily
A FREE subscription to The New Daily arrives every morning and evening.
The New Daily is a trusted source of national news and information and is provided free for all Australians. Read our editorial charter
Copyright © 2024 The New Daily.
All rights reserved.