Tacoma man charged in relation to 5 armed robberies across the Central Coast in 2001 and 2005
UPDATE: Police had phone intercepts, DNA evidence and statements from “known associates” before arresting a Tacoma man over five historical armed robberies including a jewellery heist at Erina where a shot was fired, a court has heard.
Central Coast
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A man has faced court charged in relation to five historical armed robberies across the Central Coast including one where a shot was fired at Erina nearly 20 years ago.
Stewart Daley said nothing in the dock as his Legal Aid solicitor applied for bail telling Wyong Local Court the 54-year-old was an Aboriginal man who had an acquired brain injury and lost an eye in a motor vehicle accidents.
His solicitor also told the court Mr Daley suffered sleep apnoea, had a prosthetic eye, was all but legally blind and would be vulnerable in custody.
He was arrested at his Tacoma house by detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad about 8am this morning.
Detectives conducted a search of house and allegedly uncovered ammunition as well as seizing mobile phones.
Mr Daley was taken to Wyong Police Station and charged with two counts of robbery while armed with dangerous weapon, attempted robbery while armed with a dangerous weapon, robbery, robbery in company, and possessing ammunition.
Meanwhile, police divers also searched a section of Wyong River today.
Detectives formed Strike Force Braithwaite to investigate five robberies in 2001 and 2005 at Erina, Avoca Beach, Charmhaven, Gorokan and Gwandalan, which are believed to be linked.
Three men – aged 36, 47 and 57 – have previously been charged by the Strike Force and remain before the courts.
Mr Daley’s Legal Aid solicitor told the court he had five dogs, snakes and cockatoos at his Tacoma property, which he shared with his fiance.
The police prosecutor, however, opposed bail telling the court Mr Daley “ticks all the boxes” when it came to a risk he may fail to appear, interfere with witnesses or evidence and commit further offending because he had a long criminal history “for similar offences”.
The court heard police had DNA evidence, telephone intercepts and statements from other witnesses, including ”known associates”, which made for “a strong prosecution case”.
Magistrate Caleb Franklin refused bail and ordered Mr Daley reappear at Wyong Local Court on January 7.
Police allege that during three of the robberies, a gun was used.
The first incident occurred at a jewellery store around 2.50pm on Thursday October 25, 2001. Two men, one carrying a gun, entered the store and threatened staff before stealing cash and jewellery. They fled the scene in a blue Holden Commodore sedan being driven by a third man.
As the vehicle was being driven from the scene, it’s alleged one of the men leant out and fired a shot at an off-duty probationary constable who was chasing them on foot.
In a separate incident, a man entered a post office on Avoca Drive, Avoca Beach at around 1.20pm on Monday July 4 2005. The man threatened a staff member before stealing cash and was driven from the scene by a second man.
Police are also investigating reports of two incidents on Saturday July 9 2005. In the first incident a group of men, two carrying guns, entered a hotel on the Pacific Highway at Charmhaven, about 3.45pm.
The men threatened patrons and attempted to steal cash from the register. They left empty-handed and were last seen entering a stolen 1986 Ford Falcon wagon.
About an hour later, a group of men entered a pharmacy on Wallarah Road, Gorokan.
The men threatened a staff member before stealing cash and other items. They were last seen entering a stolen HZ Holden station wagon.
In a fifth incident two men, one carrying a gun, entered a post office on Gamban Road, Gwandalan at around 12.30pm on Wednesday July 20 2005.
The men threatened a staff member and demanded cash before leaving in a stolen red Holden Commodore sedan.
No one was physically injured during the five incidents.
The 54-year-old man was refused bail to appear in Wyong Local Court today.
Anyone with information that could help Strike Force Braithwaite detectives is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.