Three men will face the courts after being charged for an alleged spate of armed robberies across Newcastle and Sydney.
Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives believe the spree began at Waratah on Monday 5 January.
Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District were called to a licenced premises on Station Street about 8am.
They received information two males, allegedly armed with a handgun, entered the hotel and demanded cash from an employee before leaving on foot.
Similar offences also occurred in Seven Hills, Pyrmont and Kingswood until Thursday 8 January.
Local police began inquiries into each matter before it was established the same handgun and dark coloured Holden sedan were used in each robbery.
The matter was then referred to State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad who established Strike Force Dudley.
Following extensive inquiries, detectives arrested a 36-year-old man at a hotel on Main Street, Blacktown, about 2pm on Sunday 11 January.
A short time later, they – with assistance of the Public Order and Riot Squad – executed a search warrant at a home in Wilberforce.
Detectives allegedly located a dark coloured Holden sedan, phones and other items of interest.
The 36-year-old was charged with robbery while armed with dangerous weapon, and two counts of in company rob while armed with dangerous weapon, relating to the incidents at Waratah, Seven Hills and Pyrmont.
After being refused bail, he’ll appear at Penrith Local Court on Friday 6 March.
Then, about 4.10pm on Monday 12 January, detectives arrested a 27-year-old man on Castlereagh Road, North Penrith.
He was taken to Penrith Police Station and charged with conceal serious indictable offence and possess prohibited drug, relating to the incidents at Waratah and Pyrmont.
Later, at 8.20pm, detectives conducted a search warrant at a home on Joseph Street, Kingswood.
They allegedly seized clothing, CCTV and jewellery.
A 35-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Penrith Police Station.
He was charged with assault with intent rob while armed with dangerous weapon and fail to comply digital evidence access order direction, relating to the Kingswood felony.
Both men were refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court on Tuesday 13 January.
For more news stories:
- Man injured, dog killed in alleged hit and run at Nelson Bay
- Rising Tide supporter slams government for ‘selling the future’
- Duo charged following alleged stabbing at Marketown car park
Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
