A man has faced court charged in relation to a series of alleged armed robberies in the area this year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Earlier this year, detectives from the State Crime Command’s robbery and serious crime squad established Strike Force Hoctempore to investigate a series of armed robberies near Taree.
About 10.30pm on Wednesday, May 9, three men, armed with machete, knives, an axe, and a samurai sword, allegedly threatened staff and patrons at a hotel on Lansdowne Road, Cundletown, before stealing cash and mobile phones.
About 4am on Sunday, July 8, a group of men, armed with a machete, a screwdriver and a steel pole, allegedly broke into a service station on The Bucketts Way at Krambach.
The men allegedly assaulted the 27-year-old male employee before stealing cash and a large amount of cigarettes.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives, assisted by Manning Great Lakes Police District, executed a search warrant at a home in Taree about 7am on Thursday, November 8.
A 19-year-old man was arrested a short time later at a nearby home.
He was taken to Taree Police Station where he was charged with two counts of robbery armed with offensive weapon, and break and enter steal value less than or equal to $60,000.
The man was refused bail to appear at Forster Local Court.
Manning Great Lakes Police District Commander Superintendent Shane Cribb said the arrest was a great result for the police district.
“These are serious offences and there’s been a lot of effort going from the State Crime Command and from my local police and the community should be very grateful for the effort the NSW police have put in to making sure that we identify and arrest these offenders.
“These offences are four to five months old but it goes to show you that we won’t give up.
“People think they can commit these offences and get away - we don’t ever forget about them and we keep investigating,” Supt Cribb said.
Investigations under Strike Force Hoctempore continue and further arrests are expected.
Anyone with information in relation to the investigation is urged to come forward.
Contact Taree Police Station on 6552 0399 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
