Two Coffs Harbour Men Charged For Armed Robbery Roles

Two men have been charged over their alleged roles in a series of armed robberies on the state’s Coffs Coast and Mid North Coast.

The news comes after CCTV footage was released last week by Police investigating under Strike Force Soren.

The Strike Force was established by detectives from the Robbery and Serious Crime Squad to investigate a series of six armed robberies during an 18-month period at Sawtell, Coffs Harbour, Wauchope, Mylestom, Macksville, and Toormina.

Following extensive inquiries, strike force investigators arrested a 24 year old man at Coffs Harbour Police Station on Tuesday morning.

The Toormina man was charged with three counts of robbery armed with offensive weapon, and two counts of conspiracy to commit robbery armed with offensive weapon.

He was refused bail and appeared at Coffs Harbour Local Court on Wednesday, where he was formally refused bail to appear at the same court on Tuesday 25 July 2017.

A 28 year old man was also arrested at Coffs Harbour Police Station later in the day on Wednesday.

The Boambee East man was charged with six counts of robbery armed with offensive weapon, two counts of conspiracy to commit robbery armed with offensive weapon, and participate in criminal group.

He too was refused bail, when he appeared at Coffs Harbour Local Court on Wednesday, he was formally refused bail to appear at the same court on Tuesday 25 July 2017.

According to Police, they will allege the charges relate to:

• Armed robbery at a licensed premises on Lyons Road, Sawtell, on Tuesday 10 November 2015.
• Armed robbery at a licensed club on Jordan Esplanade, Coffs Harbour, on Wednesday 17 February 2016
• Armed robbery at a licensed club on King Street, Wauchope on Monday 2 May 2016
• Armed robbery at a licensed club on River Street, Mylestom on Wednesday 27 October 2016
• Armed robbery at a licensed club on Cooper Street, Macksville on Wednesday 8 December 2016
• Armed robbery at a licensed premises on Toormina Road, Toormina, on Thursday 20 April 2017.

Inquiries are continuing and further arrests are expected.