A man has been charged by Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives as part of an ongoing investigation into several alleged armed robberies in the Newcastle area this year.
In July 2022, detectives attached to the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad established Strike Force Kulla – with assistance from Newcastle City Police District – to investigate three alleged armed robberies, including:
- About 10.25pm on Sunday 3 July 2022, a man – armed with a knife – approached two staff members as they were leaving a licenced premises on Station Street, Waratah. The man demanded the employees reopen the hotel before he allegedly stole cash and fled the scene on foot.
- About 3.20am on Friday 8 July 2022, a 21-year-old male employee was leaving a licenced premises on Denison Street, Hamilton, when he was approached by a man armed with a knife. He allegedly threatened the employee and demanded to be let inside the premises, before stealing cash and fleeing the scene south along Beaumont Street.
- About 1.20am on Sunday 7 August 2022, two staff members were leaving a licensed premises on Denison Street, Hamilton, via an exit on Steel Street, when they were approached by a man – allegedly armed with a handgun. The armed man threatened the staff members, before stealing cash and fleeing the scene towards Veda Street.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives – with assistance from Newcastle City Police District and the Tactical Operations Unit – attended a home on Everton Street, Hamilton, about 7.30am today (Tuesday 9 August 2022).
Upon police arrival, a 29-year-old man refused to leave the home and a police operation commenced.
Crews from Fire and Rescue NSW attended following reports of a small fire inside the home, however, were not required.
Specialist officers, including negotiators, attended the scene before the man was arrested without incident about 10.30am.
A search warrant was subsequently executed at the Hamilton home, and a second was executed at a home on Scholey Street, Mayfield – where officers seized a number of items for further forensic examination.
The man was taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with two counts of robbery armed with offensive weapon, robbery while armed with dangerous weapon.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Wednesday 10 August 2022).
Investigations under Strike Force Kulla are ongoing.