A man will face court today charged over a series of alleged armed robberies on the state’s Mid North Coast earlier this year, NSW Police say.
Earlier this year, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad established Strike Force Hoctempore to investigate a series of armed robberies near Taree.
About 10.30pm on Wednesday 9 May 2018, three men, armed with machete, knives, an axe, and a samurai sword, allegedly threatened staff and patrons at a hotel on Lansdowne Road, Cundletown, before stealing cash and mobile phones.
About 4am on Sunday 8 July 2018, a group of men, armed with a machete, a screwdriver and a steel pole, allegedly broke into a service station on The Bucketts Way at Krambach.
The men allegedly assaulted the 27-year-old male employee before stealing cash and a large amount of cigarettes.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives, assisted by Manning-Great Lakes Police District, executed a search warrant at a home in Taree about 7am today (Thursday 8 November 2018).
A 19-year-old man was arrested a short time later at a nearby home.
He was taken to Taree Police Station where he was charged with two counts of robbery armed with offensive weapon, and break and enter steal value <= $60,000.
The man was refused bail to appear at Forster Local Court today.
Investigations under Strike Force Hoctempore continue and further arrests are expected.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Hoctempore investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
