WA Police’s cold case investigations squad charge 51-year-old man over 2000 Como robbery

Cold case detectives have charged a man over a brutal shopping centre robbery in Perth’s south from nearly 26 years ago during which a worker was allegedly hit by a car while trying to protect her husband from the attack. The West Australian can reveal that detectives re-investigating the ordeal have charged a 51-year-old man with two offences over his alleged role in the robbery which occurred at the Superfresh supermarket on Manning Road, Como, on the night of October 6, 2000. It was reported in 2025 that detectives were on the hunt for three men who arrived at the supermarket in a stolen white commodore with WA registration plates ‘8EW906’ about 6pm that evening. This week, less than a year since a public appeal for information was issued, Rory Daryl McCarthy was charged with stealing a motor vehicle and armed robbery. Police allege he was involved in “attempting to steal a cash register from the premises but following some physical resistance from staff members, was unsuccessful in stealing the item”. Cold case detectives said one of men from the group allegedly entered the supermarket wearing a dark balaclava and white bucket hat before reaching over the counter and grabbing the cash register. A second male was allegedly blocking the front entrance at the time, armed with a baton made of electrical tape. The other was the getaway driver, sitting in the Commodore outside. In an attempt at defending themselves and their workplace, two workers, both husband and wife, tried to stop the men once hands were laid on the cash register. The woman bravely tackled one of the men to the ground during the ordeal, but the trio still managed to escape with sums of cash. She was previously overpowered by one of the men and knocked to the ground before managing to tackle one of the alleged robbers. After making her way outside, the female worker was hit by the Commodore when the robbers fled with cash. The commodore was dumped approximately 450m away from the scene — near the corner of Ley Street and Cloister Avenue in Manning — before the men vanished. The car was stolen from a shopping centre at the intersection of High Road and Willeri Drive, Willetton, earlier that day. Nearly 26 years after the incident, WA Police released body-cam vision of Mr McCarthy being placed into a police car wearing handcuffs. Mr McCarthy fronted Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday, where he was granted bail with conditions. He was released on a $20,000 undertaking and a $20,000 surety. He is next listed to appear in court on May 28 for a committal mention. Det. Sen-Sgt Luke Fowler, of Cold Case Investigations, said the arrest showed WA Police were committed to solving historic cases. “This arrest should serve as a clear reminder to the community that WA Police never give up on solving historic cases,” he told The West Australian. “Officers continue to review evidence, follow lines of inquiries and apply new investigative techniques to ensure that offenders are identified and held accountable. “Time does not diminish our commitment, and it does not weaken our determination to seek justice for victims, their families and the wider community.” WA Police did not say how they connected Mr McCarthy to the alleged robbery, but said his arrest came amid “re-investigations using modern policing techniques”. “WA Police continue to progress the re‑investigation of historic matters such as this incident through the Cold Case Investigations Squad. “Re‑investigations using modern policing techniques often further matters and, in this case, have resulted in an arrest. “The WA community plays a major role in helping us solve cold cases.” This investigation remains active, and we believe someone in the community may hold key information that could assist us to progress further. Anyone with information about the two outstanding men, no matter how small, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.