A man has been charged over an alleged armed robbery and pursuit in the Hunter region yesterday.
About 1.30pm (Tuesday 6 April 2021), police were called to a takeaway shop on Lawson Avenue, Beresfield, following reports a man – armed with a firearm – entered the store and threatened two female employees.
The man demanded cash before leaving the store along Beresford Avenue.
Police will further allege the man threatened a 21-year-old man with the firearm a short time later and demanded his phone and wallet.
The man fled the scene in a Mazda 3; no one was injured during either incident.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were notified and commenced a large-scale search for the man.
Police patrolling the area noticed the Mazda 3 on Woodberry Road and initiated a short pursuit.
The Mazda stopped and a 43-year-old man was arrested without incident.
Officers conducted a search of the vehicle, where they located and seized a weapon. The vehicle has also been seized for forensic testing.
The man was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he was subjected to a breath analysis, which returned an alleged reading of 0.244.
He was charged with five offences including two counts of robbery while armed with a dangerous weapon, and one count each of possess unregistered firearm, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period and high-range PCA.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Wednesday 7 April 2021).
He was later taken to the Mater Hospital for treatment, where he remains under police guard.
