Police are hunting a masked thief who wore a black flowing cape when he hit a string of businesses in Central West New South Wales.

Authorities say the masked man broke into three different businesses in Orange, on one occasion he was armed with a hunting knife and rifle.

CCTV footage shows the man attempting to steal a machine from the reception area of a business on June 29.

On Saturday, July 13, a person wearing a black cape broke into a business and attempting to open an ATM for about an hour but left empty-handed.

A week later the masked man tied up a hotel employee on Bathurst Road at Orange, before attempting to open an ATM and poker machines.

Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Ben Fordham says although it seems comical, it is anything but.

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