Men charged with Dunolly armed robbery, Singleton arson attacks

The men, from Singleton and Muswellbrook, have been charged with more than a dozen offences.

Two men have been charged over an armed robbery and multiple arson attacks following an investigation into a series of crimes across the greater Singleton area.

The men, aged 20 and 19, were arrested on Sunday night by rural crime investigators attached to Hunter Valley police district.

Strike Force Carribee was set up in October to investigate a number of alleged arson and property offences in and around Singleton.

Firearms allegedly seized by rural crime investigators under Strike Force Carribee, set up to investigate a series of arson attacks and an armed robbery across Upper Hunter. Picture: NSW Police

They included the destruction of computers and torching of a structure on Middle Falbrook Rd at Glennies Creek on September 2; three guns stolen from a Milbrodale property on September 17, a tractor burnt out at Tilpa on Christmas Day; machinery and other equipment stolen from a Goorangoola property on January 19; an excavator and diesel stolen from the same site 10 days later; and two guns stolen from a Mount Olive property on February 3

Then on February 16, two men threatened a service station attendant at Dunolly with a knife before stealing cash. One of the men was allegedly wearing a environmentally-friendly shopping bag over his head with two eye holes cut out.

Firearms allegedly seized by rural crime investigators under Strike Force Carribee, set up to investigate a series of arson attacks and an armed robbery across Upper Hunter. Picture: NSW Police

Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives attended a workplace in Muswellbrook about 9am on Sunday and arrested a 19-year-old man. Officers also seized a white Toyota HiLux for forensic examination.

A second 19-year-old man attended Singleton police station a short time later, where he was arrested.

Hunter Valley police – with the assistance of Hunter Region Enforcement Squad (RES) and Operation Utah officers – then executed two search warrants at properties in Bridgman and Muswellbrook, where a machete and other items were allegedly seized.

Firearms allegedly seized by rural crime investigators under Strike Force Carribee, set up to investigate a series of arson attacks and an armed robbery across Upper Hunter. Picture: NSW Police

Following further inquiries, officers attended an area of bushland in Bridgman where they located and seized five firearms hidden in PVC piping.

Both men were charged with several offences, including robbery while armed with a dangerous weapon, destroy property in company by fire, malicious damage, break, enter and steal, trespass, larceny and possess unauthorised firearm.

They were later identified as Brendan Cannard, 19, of Bridgman, and Brandon Kennedy-Jones, 19, of Muswellbrook.

Both were refused bail to appear in Singleton Local Court on April 28.