About 5am on December 3, police say two male offenders, armed with a knife and a wrench, faces covered with t-shirts and hooded jumpers, entered a retail store in Harrington and threatened the elderly male and female staff members and demanded money.

Police allege the male victim threw an item at the would-be robbers and forced them outside, but they then turned on him. It is alleged they tried to stab him with the knife. Whilst the male victim fought with one offender police say the second one re-entered the store, struck the female victim with the wrench and stole the cash register containing an amount of cash, before both offenders ran off.

The victims were not seriously hurt. 

Police attended and commenced investigations and Taree detectives initiated Operation Cupid to gather evidence about the offence.

About 11am Monday, December 22, the detectives brought the investigation to the next phase and arrested two 18-year-old males and an 18-year-old female from Taree. 

The two male offenders have each been charged with robbery whilst armed and have been  refused bail by police to appear in Taree Local Court yesterday. The female offender was charged with accessory after the fact to armed robbery and was granted conditional bail to appear at Taree Local Court next month.

Police said this was a very satisfying investigation that has resulted in these violent offenders being taken off the streets in a relatively short period of time since the offence was committed. 

The victims have expressed their gratitude to police for their dedication and thoroughness in obtaining the evidence to prosecute these criminals.