![Police at the scene of the attempted robbery in John Street, Cabramatta. Photo: Ten News Police at the scene of the attempted robbery in John Street, Cabramatta. Photo: Ten News](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-feed-data/efbd3be4-5fca-4370-a0ad-d27a1855db7d.jpg/r0_0_727_410_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
It was a sting operation and NSW Police were targeting one of their own.
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Tactical police and undercover detectives were lying in wait to catch a suspended police officer in Sydney's western suburbs on Monday after receiving a tip-off.
They had been waiting for some time when three men dressed in fluorescent tradies gear approached a woman on busy John Street in Cabramatta.
Police will allege the suspended officer, Senior Constable Ashur Oshana from the south west region enforcement squad, was part of the gang who attempted to rob the woman outside a money transfer business just after 10.30am.
In less than 30 seconds, scores of heavily armed tactical police and detectives swooped on the trio in front of Vina Money Transfer.
"They knew they [the officer and the other men] were going to be there, they were waiting," a police source said.
Horrified shoppers and onlookers watched as police handcuffed a man wearing a wig and earpiece in the middle of the road.
Police confirmed the men were the target of an operation involving the force's professional standards command.
A NSW Police spokeswoman said no firearms were involved and the men were arrested for "a robbery offence".
Police said the woman was attacked during the robbery and was treated at the scene for minor injuries.
A few bystanders were accidentally hit with pepper-spray by police and were treated by paramedics.
One witness described hearing a woman "screaming".
"One man ... he was on the ground and another guy was holding on tight and wouldn't let him go, and then another guy came over to get him off and then I came to help," the witness told Channel Nine.
Another witness said police had called to evacuate the buidling he had been working in.
"I thought it was just our branch but it wasn't, it was actually external," he said.
"It was a bit scary … cops everywhere."
On Monday night police had yet to lay charges but it was expected the suspended officer and the two other alleged offenders would face court on Tuesday.
A police spokeswoman said the operation was ongoing and further arrests could be expected.
Another witness said he was upstairs working when police called to evacuate the building.
"I thought it was just our branch but it wasn't, it was actually external," he said.
"It was a bit scary… cops everywhere."
Read more at http://www.9news.com.au/national/2014/09/01/12/51/three-men-arrested-after-a-robbery-in-cabramatta#CLiQa7A2gC2os9L6.99
Another witness said he was upstairs working when police called to evacuate the building.
"I thought it was just our branch but it wasn't, it was actually external," he said.
"It was a bit scary… cops everywhere."
Read more at http://www.9news.com.au/national/2014/09/01/12/51/three-men-arrested-after-a-robbery-in-cabramatta#CLiQa7A2gC2os9L6.99
Another witness said he was upstairs working when police called to evacuate the building.
"I thought it was just our branch but it wasn't, it was actually external," he said.
"It was a bit scary… cops everywhere."
Read more at http://www.9news.com.au/national/2014/09/01/12/51/three-men-arrested-after-a-robbery-in-cabramatta#CLiQa7A2gC2os9L6.99
Another witness said he was upstairs working when police called to evacuate the building.
"I thought it was just our branch but it wasn't, it was actually external," he said.
"It was a bit scary… cops everywhere."
Read more at http://www.9news.com.au/national/2014/09/01/12/51/three-men-arrested-after-a-robbery-in-cabramatta#CLiQa7A2gC2os9L6.99
Another witness said he was upstairs working when police called to evacuate the building.
"I thought it was just our branch but it wasn't, it was actually external," he said.
"It was a bit scary… cops everywhere."
Read more at http://www.9news.com.au/national/2014/09/01/12/51/three-men-arrested-after-a-robbery-in-cabramatta#CLiQa7A2gC2os9L6.99
Another witness said he was upstairs working when police called to evacuate the building.
"I thought it was just our branch but it wasn't, it was actually external," he said.
"It was a bit scary… cops everywhere."
Read more at http://www.9news.com.au/national/2014/09/01/12/51/three-men-arrested-after-a-robbery-in-cabramatta#CLiQa7A2gC2os9L6.99