Hastings River: Police divers called to investigate alleged armed robbery, shooting at Pappinbarra

Police are scouring a stretch of river on the Mid-North Coast as part of their investigations into an alleged armed robbery during which a dog was shot in the head and killed.

Police are scouring a stretch of the Hastings River on the Mid-North Coast as part of their investigations into an alleged armed robbery late last year where a dog was shot in the head and killed.

A team of divers searched the river throughout Wednesday and returned again on Thursday.

Officers have been diving in a section of the river near Kindee Bridge in the Pappinbarra area where the alleged robbery took place in the early hours of October 9 2022.

Police say several people, who were asleep at the home on Pappinbarra Rd at Lower Pappinbarra west of Wauchope, were woken by a gunshot.

When a woman went to investigate she was allegedly threatened by an unknown masked man, armed with a shotgun, who continued to threaten her before discharging a further round and fleeing the scene.

Police divers search Hastings River near Kindee Bridge.

Police divers search the Hastings River near Kindee Bridge in early February, 2023.

The Kindee Bridge.

Police divers search the Hastings River near Kindee Bridge in early February, 2023.

Police investigations are ongoing as part of Strike Force Gentian established in the days after the alleged incident and no arrests have been made.

Kaitlyn Smith, the owner of Stanley the dog who was shot and killed during the incident, has spoken of the heartbreak and shock of losing her “best friend”.

Ms Smith has lived in Wauchope for the past 15 years and picked Stanley from a litter born in May 2021.

“I had chosen Stanley on day three of him being born – I took him straight into my arms and fell in love,” she said.

“He stayed by my side every day from that moment on.”

Kaitlyn Smith with Stanley.

She said his companionship helped her through many tough times and he enjoyed walks on the beach and playing with other dogs.

“Stanley was more than just a dog to me, he was my best friend,” Ms Smith said.

“He was the most loyal, supportive, trusting and most of all goofy and happy fur baby I could ever have asked for.

“The whole year and five months that I had Stanley, he had many amazing journeys and met a lot of people and other fur babies who adored and loved him.”

Ms Smith said she was not with Stanley at the rural property at Lower Pappinbarra when the alleged incident occurred.

He was there with her ex-partner.

Kaitlyn Smith is devastated at the loss of her dog Stanley during an attempted armed robbery at Pappinbarra.

“Stanley and my ex were inside with the owners of the property sleeping,” she said.

“My ex partner was woken by a gunshot being let off – two other people exited the house and were approached by a masked armed man.

“Then a woman went to investigate and she was allegedly threatened by a masked man with a gun and from what I know there were more threats and more shots let off with one of them resulting in Stanley’s death, by gun wound to the head.”

The alleged incident occurred around 6am and it was a few hours later when Ms Smith heard the shocking news.

“I was woken at around 8.30am from a call from a friend with the worst news ever,” she said.

“I have never felt so much heartbreak but also disbelief that this could have happened to my boy.

“I was expecting him home that morning, it honestly feels like a nightmare that’s not ending.”

The State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad are continuing their investigations under Strike Force Gentian and urge anyone with information to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.