Police are asking for public help to identify a man caught on CCTV leaving crime scenes in a black cape and mask in central west New South Wales.
A strike force has been set up to investigate two break-ins and one attempted armed robbery in Orange in June and July this year.
Officers allege in one incident the man threatened and bound an employee of a bar while wielding a hunting knife and a rifle, and tried to get cash from an ATM and poker machines.
They say the employee was released before the man left.
In another incident, police say CCTV footage shows the man trying to steal a members' card machine from a club.
In a third, the suspect was seen trying to open an ATM and leaving after about an hour.
Central West Police District Detective Inspector Bruce Grassick said the man left each of the crime scenes empty handed.
"They haven't got away with anything; they've been unsuccessful on each occasion," he said.
Distinctive attire
Detective Inspector Grassick said he hoped the choice of attire may help police solve the crimes.
"We believe it is the one individual involved in all three of these offences, described as wearing a cape and a face covering and also some dark clothing, which isn't as distinctive as the cape is," he said.
"He has been seen on these three occasions in this cape."
Detective Inspector Grassick said police have a gun that could be linked to one of the robberies.
"We're talking about an armed offender who is active in our community," he said.
"We've seen it die down over the past few weeks now, whether it's a transient type of person, we're still looking at that, whether it's someone who is not even local, we're still looking at that," he said.
"As you can imagine that firearm that has come into our possession has certainly piqued our interest."
