Detectives arrest three men in raids at Maryland, Horseshoe Bend, Metford and Tamworth

Detectives investigating a series of violent crimes, including the stabbing of Morpeth shopkeeper Jason Bull, have swooped in simultaneous and co-ordinated raids across the Hunter.

Detectives investigating a series of armed robberies, including the stabbing of a Morpeth shopkeeper and street robbery of a priest, have arrested three men in a series of simultaneous raids across the Hunter and Tamworth.

Strike Force Conge detectives co-ordinated the raids at Maryland, Horseshoe Bend, Metford, Tenambit and Tamworth at 6am on Friday morning.

It followed an intensive investigation into 14 incidents across the Hunter since last month, including the stabbing of Morpeth grocer Jason Bull and the armed robbery of a cleaner at the Blackbutt Hotel.

Strike Force Conge detectives arrest an 18-year-old man at Largs during raids across the Hunter and Tamworth in relation to a series of armed robberies. Picture: NSW Police

The investigation was led by the state’s robbery and serious crime squad and assisted by detectives from Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and Port Stephens-Hunter.

A police statement said Strike Force Conge investigations included the assault and robbery of a 79-year-old priest on Charlestown Rd, Charlestown about 4.10am on January 17.

Police allege three men pulled over in a stolen dark grey Mercedes CLA250 and threatened the man with a crowbar.

A cleaner was allegedly threatened with a knife and robbed of his wallet and watch at the Blackbutt Hotel, New Lambton. Picture: Google Maps.

The investigation was led by the state’s robbery and serious crime squad and assisted by detectives from Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and Port Stephens-Hunter.

A police statement said Strike Force Conge investigations included the assault and robbery of a 79-year-old man on Charlestown Rd, Charlestown about 4.10am on January 17.

Police allege three men pulled over in a stolen dark grey Mercedes CLA250 and threatened the man with a crowbar.

Just 20 minutes later, it is alleged four men robbed a Bennetts Green service station using a grey Mercedes.

The following day, police say a cleaner at the Blackbutt Hotel at New Lambton was threatened with a knife after three men got out of a dark grey Mercedes.

He was robbed of his wallet and watch before the men attempted to steal cash from an ATM inside.

Shopkeeper Jason Bull was stabbed in the abdomen during an armed robbery of the Spar Express at Morpeth. Picture: Google Maps.

And then on January 20, police allege shopkeeper Jason Bull was stabbed in the abdomen after confronting three men inside his Morpeth grocery store about 5.10am.

During Friday’s search warrants, three men were arrested – a 22-year-old at Tamworth, an 18-year-old at Horseshoe Bend and a 19-year-old at Maryland.

The Tamworth man was charged on Friday afternoon with 14 offences including aggravated robbery with wounding and four counts of armed robbery.

Police said all are expected to be charged with offences being investigated by Strike Force Conge.