Five men have been charged by Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives as part of ongoing investigations into a spate of armed robberies in the state's Hunter Region.
Last month, detectives attached to the State Crime Command's Robbery and Serious Crime Squad commenced investigations into a series of armed robberies in the state's Hunter Region under Strike Force Conge.
Detectives were assisted throughout the investigation by officers attached to Newcastle City, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens-Hunter Police Districts.
A total of 14 incidents are being investigated by strike force detectives, including:
• About 4.10am on Monday 17 January 2022, a 79-year-old man was walking along Charlestown Road, Charlestown, when he was allegedly assaulted and robbed by three men, who had pulled over in a stolen dark grey Mercedes CLA250. The man was also threatened with a crowbar. He sustained minor injuries and did not require medical treatment.
• Just before 4.30am on Monday 17 January 2022, a dark grey Mercedes pulled up at a service station on the Pacific Highway at Bennetts Green, and four men got out and entered the store, allegedly threatening an employee. One of the men jumped the counter and allegedly stole several items from the store, before the group fled.
• About 4am on Tuesday 18 January 2022, a 42-year-old man was approached by three men who had exited a dark grey Mercedes outside a hotel on Orchardtown Road, New Lambton. The man, an employee of the hotel, was allegedly robbed of his wallet, mobile phone and watch after being threatened with a knife.
• About 5.10am on Thursday 20 January 2022, three males – one armed with a knife – entered a service station at Swan Street, Morpeth, and allegedly stole cash from the register. The attendant – a 47-year-old man – confronted the group, before he was punched in the face and stabbed in the abdomen. The group then fled in a stolen white Subaru Liberty. The employee was treated by paramedics, before being taken to John Hunter Hospital. He has since been released.
Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives executed five search warrants at properties in Maryland, Horseshoe Bend, Metford, Tenambit and Tamworth, from 6am yesterday (Friday 4 February 2022).
A 20-year-old man was arrested at South Tamworth and taken to Tamworth Police Station, where he was charged with take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, four counts robbery armed with offensive weapon, two counts be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, two counts break and enter dwelling-house with intent (steal), two counts aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence – armed, aggravated break and enter with intent – armed, aggravated robbery with wounding/grievous bodily harm, and break and enter house steal value (less than $60,000).
The man was refused bail and appeared at Tamworth Local Court yesterday.
A 19-year-old man was arrested at Maryland and taken to Waratah Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of robbery armed with offensive weapon, three counts of be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner and receive property-theft-serious indictable offence.
He appeared at Newcastle Local Court yesterday, where he was formally refused bail to reappear at the same court on Monday (7 February 2022).
An 18-year-old Horseshoe Bend man was arrested at a home at Largs and taken to Newcastle Police Station, where he was charged with robbery armed with offensive weapon cause wounding/grievous bodily harm and be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.
Just after 10am, two further men – also aged 19 and 20 – were arrested at Newcastle Police Station.
The younger man was charged with 16 offences, while the older man was charged with 19 offences. The charges for both men include aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence – armed, and robbery with offensive weapon.
All three men are due to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 5 February 2022).
Investigations under Strike Force Conge are ongoing.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
