A POLICE strike force investigating a series of violent armed robberies and shootings across the Hunter have released vision of two bandits wanted over the hold-up of McDonald’s at Williamtown just over two months ago.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Strike Force Shirley detectives arrested a teenager on Tuesday morning during a search warrant of a Raymond Terrace house and later charged him with aggravated robbery whilst armed with a dangerous weapon.
It will be alleged the 18-year-old was the third masked bandit who stormed the Nelson Bay Road restaurant about 10.50pm on January 25 and threatened staff before escaping with a sum of cash.
Detectives also seized a number of items during Tuesday’s search warrant, including a Holden Commodore, which was located near the Shearman Avenue address.
The teen was refused bail to appear in Raymond Terrace Local Court on Wednesday.
Strike Force Shirley investigators released the closed circuit television footage of the robbery in the hope the two other bandits can be identified.
Two of the suspects stayed with staff as a third raided a safe and cash registers.
One male staff member was injured when he was struck on the arm by a baseball bat wielded by one of the bandits.
The robbery was completed within a few minutes, with startled customers in the restaurant's carpark the first to raise the alarm after first suspecting it was a prank before seeing staff with their hands raised.
Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives joined investigators from Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle City to set up Strike Force Shirley.
The investigation has looked into a series of violent armed robberies across the Hunter, including on the Hunter River Hotel at East Maitland on December 5.
It also delved into the shooting of a man at Jesmond on February 2 which left a 27-year-old with a gunshot wound to his left thigh and left hand.
Two men were arrested the following day and remain the only people to be charged with the shooting.
Information should be forwarded Strike Force Shirley detectives via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
