Criterion Hotel, Weston: Patron slashed by machete during armed robbery
Hunter Valley detectives are hunting two masked bandits who stormed a popular Hunter pub and threatened about a dozen patrons and staff with machetes.
Newcastle
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A punter has needed hospital treatment for a deep gash to his arm after being slashed with a machete during a violent armed robbery of the popular Criterion Hotel at Weston.
Two masked bandits stormed the Cessnock Rd establishment just after midnight on Friday, possibly surprised to see about a dozen patrons still inside the pub.
Both robbers were armed with machetes, which they used to threaten the patrons and several hotel staff.
Police said at least one of the bandits jumped the bar and helped themself to a several thousand dollars in cash from a till.
And it was as one of the robbers jumped back over the counter that one of the male patrons stuck his hand up.
He was struck firmly in the arm, just below the wrist, with a machete, causing a deep gash which needed hospital treatment.
Both bandits ran from the pub.
Hunter Valley detectives are investigating and have asked anyone in the vicinity of the Criterion Hotel around midnight to contact police.
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