NSW: Armed hold-up at northern suburbs cinema

AAP General News (Australia)
08-29-2001
NSW: Armed hold-up at northern suburbs cinema

SYDNEY, Aug 29 AAP - A female employee of a northern Sydney cinema was bound and threatened
with a gun during an armed hold-up, police said today.

The 48-year-old woman was counting the day's takings in an office at the Hayden Orpheum
Picture Palace in Cremorne when she was assaulted at about 11pm (AEST) yesterday.

A police spokeswoman said a man wearing a balaclava walked into the rear office and
threatened the woman with a pistol before tying her up.

He then escaped with a substantial amount of cash.

The employee was not hurt in the incident.

"She was incredibly shaken but uninjured," the spokeswoman said.

Another employee spotted a man leaving the cinema on Military Road and was able to
give police a description, she said.

"As he was leaving another employee walked past him and at this stage he wasn't wearing
a balaclava so that's how we've managed to get a description," she said.

The offender was described as being in his mid-20s, of Caucasian appearance, 185 cm
tall, with blonde hair.

AAP nf/cjh

KEYWORD: CINEMA

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