Two further men have been charged as part of investigations into a series of armed robberies and a public place shooting on the state’s North Coast.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad and Mid North Coast Police District established Strike Force Yengo to investigate several armed robberies and a public place shooting which are believed to be linked.
Seven men have previously been charged by strike force detectives. They all remain before the courts.
Following further investigations, detectives arrested two men – aged 23 and 37 – at Kempsey Police Station on Thursday 19 March 2020.
The older man was charged with conspiracy to commit offence (x2), in company rob while armed with offence weapon (x2), take person in company with intent to commit serious indictable offence (x2), and attempt in company rob while armed with offence weapon.
Police will allege in court that the man was involved in an armed robbery at a licensed premise at Kempsey on 14 October 2019 and an attempted armed robbery at a licensed premise at Macksville on 6 October 2019.
It will be further alleged that the man was conspiring to commit armed robberies at licensed premises at Smithtown and Nambucca Heads.
He was remanded in custody and appeared at Kempsey Local Court on Friday 20 March 2020 where he was refused bail to re-appear at the same court today (Wednesday 22 April 2020).
The younger man was charged with accessory before the fact to the offence fire firearm at dwelling-house with disregard for safety and accessory after the fact to the offence fire firearm at dwelling-house.
Police will allege in court that the man was involved in obtaining a .22 rifle used in a public place shooting at Rodlee Street, Wauchope, on Wednesday 10 July 2019.
The man was remanded in custody and appeared at Kempsey Local Court on Friday 20 March 2020 where he was refused bail to re-appear at the same court on Wednesday 20 May 2020.
Investigations under Strike Force Yengo are continuing.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Yengo detectives is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.