Man charged as investigations into armed robbery of Hunter hotel continue – Robbery and Serious Crime Squad

Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives have charged a man as part of ongoing investigations into the armed robbery of a hotel in the state’s Hunter region.
About 12.20am yesterday (Tuesday 25 January 2022), two masked men – one armed with a handgun and the other with a meat clever – entered a licensed premise on Main Road at Cardiff and threatened two employees, a man and woman aged 52 and 25, before taking a cash register and fleeing.
Police were told the duo left the location in a blue coloured Ford Falcon sedan, last seen heading east on Main Street.
Although shaken, the employees were not injured and contacted police.
Initial inquiries were conducted by officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District, before the matter was referred to detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad under Strike Force Hawksview.
As part on ongoing investigations, strike force detectives – assisted by local police attached to Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Police Districts – executed three search warrants in Wallsend, Maryland and a New Lambton hotel room from 9pm last night (Tuesday 25 January 2022).
During subsequent searches, investigators seized a blue Ford Falcon, a motorcycle, ammunition, clothing, a firearm part, a small quantity of methylamphetamine, and other items relevant to the investigation.
All items seized will undergo forensic examination.
Following extensive inquiries, a 32-year-old man was arrested at the Wallsend address and taken to Newcastle Police Station.
He was charged with five offences, including robbery while armed with dangerous weapon, possess prohibited drug, acquire firearm part without authority to do so, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, and possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit.
Police will allege in court that the man was one of two responsible for the armed robbery of the hotel in Cardiff.
He was refused bail and appeared at Newcastle Local Court earlier today (Wednesday 26 January 2022), where he was formally refused bail to appear at Toronto Local Court on Tuesday 1 February 2022.
Further arrests under Strike Force Hawksview are expected.