A man has been charged following an investigation into an alleged armed robbery attempt near Forster earlier this year.
About 12.30am on Monday 17 August 2026, police were called to a licenced premises on Manning Street, Tuncurry, following reports of an attempted armed robbery.
At the scene, police were told an employee had exited the premises after closing for the night when she was approached by two men.
One of the men allegedly threatened the woman with a firearm and demanded to enter the property; however, the men fled the scene a short time later without accessing the property.
Officers attached to Manning/Great Lakes Police District commenced an investigation into the incident under Strike Force Balero.
During the investigation, officers located a sawn-off, double barrel shotgun abandoned in bushland at Tuncurry.
Following further inquiries, a 45-year-old man was arrested at Grafton Police Station about 10.45am on Wednesday 4 November 2026.
He was charged with attempt robbery armed with dangerous weapon.
The man was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 1 yesterday (Thursday 5 November 2026), where he was formally refused bail to appear before Taree Local Court on Monday 11 January 2026.
Inquiries into the incident are continuing.
