Millionaire’s son Riley Higgins, 23, in court over alleged petrol station armed robbery

The son of millionaire Peter Higgins has been charged with the alleged armed robbery of a petrol station in Sydney’s northern beaches.

The son of millionaire Peter Higgins will remain behind bars after being arrested and charged over an alleged armed robbery of a Northern Beaches petrol station.

Riley Higgins, 23, appeared via audio-visual link at Manly Local Court on August 18, informing the court his father Peter was arranging a lawyer to represent him after he was arrested on Cabarita Ave, Avalon about 5pm on Wednesday evening.

The son of millionaire Peter Higgins has been charged with the alleged armed robbery of a petrol station on Sydney's Northern Beaches. Picture: Seven

Police alleged in court documents the 23-year-old stole $400 cash from the service station attendant while armed with an air rifle. Picture: Seven

Police alleged in court documents the 23-year-old stole $400 cash from the service station attendant while armed with an air rifle.

A NSW Police spokeswoman said Northern Beaches Police Area Command officers were called to a Metro service station on Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon following reports of an armed robbery around 4.15pm on August 17.

The spokeswoman said a man allegedly threatened two service station employees with a weapon “before fleeing the scene with cash”.

“The employees were not injured,” the spokeswoman said. “A crime scene was established and an investigation commenced into the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

The 23-year-old was charged with robbery while armed with a dangerous weapon.

A photograph on Mr Higgins' Facebook page shows the 23-year-old posing next to former PM Scott Morrison. Picture: Facebook

Outside court on Thursday afternoon, Mr Higgins’ solicitor Robert Candelori said “at this stage the matters would be defended”.

“That’s all I can say at the moment” he told NewsLocal.

Mr Candelori also told Magistrate Margaret McGlynn that Mr Higgins would not be applying for bail and would make a release application in two weeks’ time.

Mr Higgins will remain in custody for now, but his lawyer told the court he will apply for Mr Higgins’s release on bail in two weeks. Picture: Facebook

Riley Higgins. Picture: John Grainger

The solicitor also handed up a document — a Community Treatment Order — while saying that his client had “significant mental health issues”.

Mr Candelori also asked the court that Mr Higgins receive a mental health assessment while in custody, “as soon as possible”.

Before he left the video screen Mr Higgins told the court: “thank you your honour — I appreciate your time, and everyone elses.”

Magistrate McGlynn formally refused bail and adjourned the matter to Manly Local Court on September 1.

Peter Higgins co-founded Mortgage Choice in 1992, however, is no longer affiliated with the company.