Parolee charged over crime spree across Cessnock hours after being released from jail
A man released from Cessnock jail at 9.30am on Wednesday was arrested four hours later after allegedly holding-up a bottle shop and threatening two elderly men during attempted carjackings
Police & Courts
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A parolee has been charged with armed robbery and two carjacking offences after allegedly threatening three people with a knife only hours after being released from Cessnock jail.
The Iluka man, 39m was arrested on the M1 Motorway near Cameron Park on Wednesday afternoon, less than four hours after being released from the Shortland Correctional Facility.
Police will allege a female employee at Cessnock’s Liquorland was threatened with a knife before cash was taken during an armed robbery at 12.40pm.
They also allege that a 68-year-old man was threatened with a knife in the carpark outside the bottle shop and told to hand over his keys.
The motorist refused and the suspect left in another unknown vehicle.
“About 10 minutes later, an 83-year-old man was at a service station on Allandale Street, Kearsley, when it’s alleged a man pushed past him and attempted to enter his vehicle,’’ a police statement said.
“A struggle ensued between the pair, before the man drove from the scene in the elderly man’s red sedan.
“The 83-year-old was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics; however he did not require hospital treatment.”
Hunter Valley police established crime scenes at both locations and additional resources from Port Stephens, the highway patrol and Operation Utah officers were called to assist.
Police said the red sedan was seen on the M1 Motorway near the intersection with John Renshaw Drive at Beresfield about 1.10pm.
The car continued south before being stopped at a U-turn bay on the M1 Motorway at Cameron Park.
The driver – a 39-year-old man – was arrested without incident.
He was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with robbery armed with offensive weapon, aggravated take/drive motor vehicle with person in/on it-armed with weapon and aggravated take/drive motor vehicle with person in/on it – inflict actual bodily harm.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday.
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