A Dee Why convenience store robbery that left a young staff member assaulted has resulted in one arrest, while police are still searching for a second man involved in the incident.
Just after 1:00pm on Thursday, 11 June 2026, officers from the Northern Beaches Police Area Command — including Inspector Matthew Patterson — responded to a call from Prime Dee Why Mart on Howard Avenue. The station is barely 100 metres from the store, meaning police were on scene quickly.
Two men had allegedly entered the shop and attempted to get behind the counter and into a storage area. When a 22-year-old male employee confronted them, the pair allegedly attacked him, kicking him in the head and leaving him with scratches and bruising. It is understood the men were attempting to take vapes and cigarettes, though police have not confirmed whether anything was actually stolen — and it is believed the pair left without any goods.
CCTV footage reviewed at the scene helped officers identify one of the two men almost immediately. A 20-year-old from Narrabeen was recognised by police, who are described as knowing him well. Despite being aware that officers were looking for him, he evaded police for approximately a week before handing himself in at Chatswood Police Station on Thursday, 18 June 2026.
He has since been charged with one count of common assault under Section 61 of the NSW Crimes Act, which carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment. He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Manly Local Court on Tuesday, 28 July 2026.
Investigators have indicated that further charges may follow. Police are reportedly considering whether to also charge him under Section 60G of the Crimes Act, a provision specifically aimed at protecting retail workers from assault, which carries a maximum penalty of four years’ imprisonment.
The second man remains unidentified. He is described as Caucasian, approximately 30 years old, and was wearing a black hoodie and black shorts at the time of the incident. He has a distinctive tattoo of cursive writing above his right eyebrow.
Anyone who recognises this description or has information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact Dee Why Police Station on 02 9971 3399 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Published 20-June-2026
