Argyle Terrace Motor Inn, Batemans Bay: CCTV released after daylight armed robbery

An employee of a popular motel has described the moment an armed man demanded cash during an early morning robbery. It comes as police release CCTV footage of a man they wish to speak to and help with inquiries.

A shaken motel employee has spoken for the first time since he was threatened during an armed robbery at Batemans Bay.

Police are trying to find a man who robbed a motel, threatening Ross Goldsmith with an extendable baton, destroyed a phone and fled with cash.

Detectives investigating the robbery of the Argyle Terrace Motor Inn at Batemans Bay earlier this month have released CCTV images and are appealing for public information that may assist their inquiries.

Police were called to the Beach Rd motel about 8.30am on November 10, after a man armed with a weapon entered the reception office and threatened a 55-year-old male employee before destroying a desk phone, stealing cash, then fleeing.

The man was last seen running west along Beach Rd a short time after the incident.

CCTV footage has been released of a man who they believe can help with inquiries after a Batemans Bay motel was robbed. Picture: NSW Police

The man captured on CCTV footage was wearing dark-coloured clothing and a balaclava. Picture: NSW Police

Although shaken, Mr Goldsmith, was not physically injured.

He told The South Coast News he was busy serving another customer on the phone when the armed man walked in.

“I was halfway through booking someone when he came in and I thought he was a guest because he had a similar build to a guest I had,” Mr Goldsmith said.

“I kept putting him off while I was speaking to another guest on the phone and I think that upset him.”

Mr Goldsmith described the weapon the man was armed with as an extendable baton.

“He got out his baton and when he extended it, that’s when I gave him the cash,” Mr Goldsmith said.

“It was about a metre long.”

Mr Goldsmith revealed the Beach Road Motel had luckily captured a man leaving the premises that morning on CCTV footage.

The man was spotted on CCTV leaving the motel, heading west along Beach Road a short time after the incident.

“They had people vandalising their property in the past and decided to install cameras around their property,” he said.

Mr Goldsmith has since taken measures to increase the motel’s security as a result of the robbery.

As investigations continue, police have released CCTV vision of a man who may be able to assist police with ongoing inquiries.

He is described as being of caucasian appearance, aged between 20-30, and was wearing a black-coloured jumper, cap, shorts and balaclava at the time.

Police have been told the man has a “distinctive Australian accent”.

Detective Sergeant Lee Brown said investigators believe someone in the Batemans Bay area will recognise the man depicted in the CCTV vision.

“Police conducted extensive patrols of the area immediately after the incident but were unsuccessful in locating the person responsible for this brazen crime,” Det Sgt Brown said.

“We’re asking the community to look closely at the CCTV and the person depicted in the dark clothing, we believe someone knows this person and may be able to assist us with our investigation.

Police believe someone will know the man depicted on the CCTV footage. Picture: NSW Police

“Local businesses up and down the state’s coast have been subject to immense financial pressures from COVID-19.

“The callous disregard for others, their property and their safety will not be tolerated. I urge anyone with information to come forward.”

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.