Robert Hain: Broadbeach jeweller could finally see justice done as man arrested in connection with 2001 robbery

Gold Coast jeweller Robert Hain was left reeling after he was robbed at gunpoint. Almost two decades later, a man has been arrested by police in connection with the case.

POLICE have arrested a man almost two decades after a Gold Coast jeweller was held at gunpoint during a terrifying armed robbery.

The NSW Police State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad executed a search warrant at a home in Tacoma as part of Strike Force Braithwaite about 8am today.

Officers arrested a 54-year-old man and laid a raft of charges.

Robert Hain, the owner of Darje by Roberts Jewellers at Broadbeach, was robbed while operating a shop at Erina in NSW on October 25, 2001. Picture: Jerad Williams

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Robert Hain, the owner of Darje by Roberts Jewellers at Broadbeach, was running a jewellery store in the small Central Coast NSW town of Erina back on October 25, 2001.

He was working alongside his 15-year-old son, who had been training as an apprentice, and two other employees.

The 54-year-old man has been arrested and it’s expected charges will be laid. Picture: NSW Police Force

Mr Hain told the Bulletin earlier this year that at about 2.40pm when two mystery men stormed the shop clad in balaclavas, wielding what he believes were sawn-off shotguns.

The robbers stole jewellery and fled, but ran into off-duty police officers, who were then fired upon, Mr Hain said.

Robert Hain’s former shop at Erina in NSW, which was stormed by two armed robbers.

THE DAY GOLD COAST JEWELLER FACED DOWN ARMED ROBBERS

The robbery left Mr Hain reeling emotionally and financially: “We lost a lot more than just the money and stock that was stolen”.

NSW Police believe the robbery on Karalta Rd in 2001 is linked to four other historical armed robberies in the NSW Central Coast region in July, 2005, including two incidents in which guns were produced.

Robert Hain back at work after armed bandits robbed his shop in 2001. Picture: Mark Scott

No one was physically injured during the series of robberies.

The 54-year-old man was charged with two counts of robbery while armed with a dangerous weapon and one count each of attempted robbery while armed with a dangerous weapon, robbery, robbery in company, and possessing ammunition without holding a licence or permit.

Three men, aged 36, 47 and 57, were previously charged by taskforce detectives and remain before the courts.

Police divers have been assisting investigations, searching a section of the Wyong River, but no items had been found.

Strike Force Braithwaite’s investigations continue.