newy.com.au – Four people have been charged after police raids linked to alleged armed robberies and a break-in at venues in Adamstown, Bar Beach and Cardiff last month.
Three men, aged 35, 38 and 43, were refused bail after being charged with a series of offences, including aggravated break and enter, armed robbery and participating in a criminal group. A 35-year-old woman was charged with recklessly dealing with more than $5000 in alleged proceeds of crime.
The arrests followed searches at Wallsend, Fletcher, Elermore Vale and Petersham from about 6am on Thursday, September 3. Officers from the Robbery and Serious Crime Squad were assisted by the Raptor Squad and regional operations support groups.
Police allege two men entered licensed premises on Glebe Road at Adamstown about 4am on Saturday, August 8, and assaulted a 25-year-old woman before stealing cash. The woman did not require further medical treatment.
Detectives searched a Coronation Street home at Waratah later that day, seizing clothing and a vehicle for forensic examination.
Two more incidents were reported early on Monday, August 10. Police were told three men forced their way into licensed premises at Bar Beach about 1.50am, damaging a safe and poker machines while trying to steal cash. They allegedly escaped with a small amount of money.
At about 6.40am, three men wearing black clothing and balaclavas allegedly entered a Cardiff bowling club and threatened two staff members with weapons. Police allege they stole cash and a staff member’s white Subaru Forester.
Local investigations into the three incidents were later taken over by the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad under Strike Force Ronwayy.
The 38-year-old Fletcher man, the 35-year-old Wallsend man and the 43-year-old man arrested at Hamilton were each charged with four counts of aggravated break and enter and committing a serious indictable offence, two counts of robbery while armed with an offensive weapon, participating in a criminal group and being carried in a vehicle taken without its owner’s consent.
The 38-year-old was also charged with failing to comply with a digital evidence access order.
All three men were due to appear in Bail Division Local Court on Friday, September 4. The woman was granted strict conditional bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court on Thursday, September 17.
Police have asked anyone with information about organised criminal activity to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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