Penrith: Uber Eats scooter rider violently knocked off bike in Sydney in alleged ambush caught on dash-cam

Police are investigating a brazen daylight robbery in Sydney’s West after dash-cam footage captured a group of scooter-riding offenders allegedly ambushing and knocking an Uber Eats worker off his bike in a coordinated attack.

The confrontation unfolded on Copeland Street in Penrith on Monday, with vision sent to 2GB showing the rider stopped at a red light moments before four people on three scooters moved in from different directions.

In seconds, one of the men leapt from the back of a scooter, shoved the delivery rider to the ground and took off with his bike, which police say the rider owned, while another offender grabbed his mobile phone. The group then sped away through traffic.

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the robbery appeared meticulously planned, likening it to the type of violent street crime seen overseas.

He described the vision as “extremely well executed” and compared it to offences committed by London street gangs.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested hours later in Cranebrook after crashing a scooter into a traffic island. Officers allege he was carrying a knife and was in possession of the stolen bike and phone.

He has been charged with driving the allegedly stolen moped, driving unlicensed, failing to wear a helmet, carrying a knife and being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence. The teen was granted conditional bail and is due to face the Children’s Court on December 15.

The disturbing footage was also discussed on Sunrise, where former NSW detective superintendent and security consultant Robert Critchlow warned that Sydney could be on the verge of a London-style wave of scooter and motorbike robberies.

“This is just a shocking video,” presenters said, noting similar crimes in the UK. Mr Critchlow agreed the trend could escalate.

“I say it is primed to, London has been suffering these cries for a period of time, and they ... have a standing operation called Operation Dennis and they had the highest rate of motorbike thefts in the world in London because they have such a motorbike culture and I think as Sydney sees more and more the scooters on our streets with delivery workers, I think we will see more of this,” he said.

Mr Critchlow said other victims may already exist and also warned that copycat crimes could follow.

“This vision is seductive to some crooks, and they will pick up the idea and start spreading the idea around Sydney,” he said.

Mr Critchlow praised the Uber Eats rider for not fighting back.

“He kept his head, he kept safe and did not get engaged with ... And it is bad enough robbed, but we don’t want to see him getting hurt,” he said, noting a weapon was allegedly found.

“So anyone has been robbed or attacked, get out of the way, don’t be a hero because we don’t want to see you getting hurt.”

Police say more offenders may be involved and are urging witnesses or anyone with dash-cam footage to come forward.

Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersnsw.com.au.