A POLICEMAN was forced to fire his gun four times after his vehicle was rammed as he tried to stop a robbery near Tamworth on Monday morning.
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Specialist robbery squad detectives from Sydney have joined the Oxley police manhunt for the offenders behind the brazen hit on Werris Creek Bowling and Tennis Club.
As many as four offenders in hooded jumpers are on the run - empty-handed - after trying to steal the ATM from the Henry Street club about 2.30am.
The street was still cordoned off as a crime scene on Monday as detectives and forensic police scoured the road, examining the damaged ATM that was strewn across it.
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Oxley Detective Sergeant Geoff Sharpe said "the motor vehicle was in the process of making off with an ATM that had been forcibly removed from the club" when the lone officer arrived on scene.
The police vehicle was rammed and the officer, fearing for his safety, discharged his firearm.
- Oxley Detective Sergeant Geoff Sharpe
"The police vehicle was rammed and the officer, fearing for his safety, discharged his firearm," he said on Monday.
The officer fired four shots but wasn't hurt during the incident. The police vehicle was damaged, Detective Sharpe confirmed.
"The whole circumstances of the matter will be fully investigated by police," he said.
The Holden Rodeo fled with police in chase and was dumped near The Gap Rd out of Werris Creek.
"The occupants fled into nearby bushland and, despite a search, the offenders were unable to be located," Detective Sharpe said.
"The ute has been seized and forensically examined and will undergo further forensic examination in the next few days."
Detectives spent the day combing CCTV footage and speaking to witnesses as they try and find who's behind the targeted hit.
"CCTV footage is being examined at this stage; the detectives are going through that and we've got two officers from the robbery squad in Sydney coming up this afternoon to assist," Detective Sharpe said yesterday.
Anyone who saw the Holden Rodeo being driven in the early hours of Monday, or who noticed suspicious activity in the Werris Creek area, is urged to call Tamworth police on 6768 2999.
EARLIER
Police are appealing for information after an ATM was stolen from a club in Werris Creek in the early hours of Monday morning.
Just before 2.30am, police were called to Werris Creek Bowling and Tennis Club after reports a ram raid was in progress.
An officer from Oxley Police District attended and the police vehicle was struck by a Holden Rodeo utility. The officer discharged a number of shots.
The offenders fled in the ute, with police in pursuit, before the ute was dumped on The Gap Road.
The occupants fled into nearby bushland, but, despite a search, they were unable to be located.
The ute was seized and will be forensically examined.
A crime scene was established after inquiries revealed an ATM had been stolen, and officers from Oxley Police District have commenced an investigation.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.