Two men will face court today charged following an investigation into eight alleged armed hotel robberies over the past seven months, NSW Police say.
Detectives from State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad established Strike Force Smallgood to investigate armed hold-ups at hotels at Petersham, Kirribilli, Glebe, Chippendale, Hunters Hill, St Peters, Enmore, and Camperdown between Thursday 12 October 2017 and last Sunday (6 May 2018).
Following extensive inquiries, strike force investigators, assisted by Strike Force Raptor, executed search warrants at homes at Ultimo and Balmain, about 6.30am (Thursday 10 May 2018).
During the searches, investigators seized a replica handgun, MDMA, cannabis, mobile phones, documentation, and more than $10,000 cash.
Two men – aged 27 and 28 – were arrested during the operation and taken to Newtown Police Station.
The 28-year-old Ultimo man was charged with seven counts of robbery while armed with dangerous weapon, two counts of special aggravated break and enter with intent while armed with a dangerous weapon, in company rob while armed with dangerous weapon, robbery armed with offensive weapon cause wounding/grievous bodily harm, and steal motor vehicle.
The 27-year-old Balmain man was charged with robbery while armed with dangerous weapon – accessory before the fact, robbery while armed with dangerous weapon – accessory after the fact, and steal motor vehicle.
Both men were refused bail to appear in Newtown Local Court later today (Friday 11 May 2018).
Inquiries are continuing.
