Mr Hallford’s Domino’s store was victim of an armed-robbery Wednesday night when a man entered the restaurant and produced a knife on a male attendant and demanded money.

A manhunt is currently underway after a spate of incidents across the Dubbo region, in what police believe may be a one-man crime spree.

Dubbo police believe the armed robber was responsible for an aggravated break and enter in Narromine, as well being involved in a high-speed car chase Wednesday afternoon.

Narromine police were called to a property about 1am Wednesday after a house was broken into. The thief stole a blue Subaru Forester and according to Dubbo Police inspector Chris Clarke the owners confronted and chased their stolen vehicle but lost sight of it.

About 1pm Wednesday Dubbo Highway Patrol identified a blue Subaru Forester in the Geurie-Wongarbon area and engaged in a pursuit following the Narromine incident. Police chased the vehicle but after reaching speeds of up to 170km/h lost sight of the Forester near Mogriguy.

“We believe the man to be 5ft 10in and weighing about 80 kilograms. He was cleanly shaven, wearing glasses and of Aboriginal appearance,” Insp Clarke said.

“We are trying to locate the gentleman in relation to other offences including an aggravated break and enter.”

According to Mr Hallford, staff members who were working at the time of the robbery described the thief as well-dressed.

“The guys said he was wearing a suit and glasses. He looked like a doctor or lawyer and was not wearing a mask.”

The store owner had nothing but praise for his staff who did exactly what they were told and followed the standard Domino’s procedure.

When a man armed with a knife entered the pizza parlour about 8.30pm, Domino’s staff sounded the emergency alarm and followed the robber’s orders.

“But the thing is, he only got a couple of hundred dollars,” Mr Hallford said. “It wasn’t worth robbing us.”

Domino’s staff said the thief did not come into contact with them but raised his voice and demanded the till’s takings.

In the eight years Mr Hallford and his wife, Kristie, have owned the Dubbo store this is the first time they have been robbed.

“We had one incident about four years ago when a delivery driver was attacked, but apart from that we’ve had a pretty good run.”

The Hallfords are currently on holiday and both said it was extremely bad timing.

“Obviously you never want this type of thing to happen but I just wish it was me who was there instead of the kids,” Mr Hallford said. “I hope it doesn’t scare any of our staff members away. Luckily no one was hurt”

Insp Clarke said police were still making enquiries into the matter and looking at forensics from crime scenes which may be associated with the robbery.

“We’ve been pretty lucky since we moved to Dubbo eight years ago and opened the store. It just takes one loser from out of town to spoil that.”

l.griplas@ruralpress.com