Man and woman arrested after allegedly tying up Yarram Plaza Hot Bread staff in armed robbery

A pair who allegedly tied up three staff members and held them at gunpoint at a South Gippsland bakery have been arrested.

Two armed thieves who allegedly tied up three staff members and held them at gunpoint at Yarram Plaza Hot Bread earlier this month have been arrested. Picture: Jack Colantuono

A man, 41 and a 46-year-old woman have been arrested following a Gippsland crime spree.

Wellington and East Gippsland CIU detectives charged the Bairnsdale pair with armed robbery, false imprisonment, firearms possession and other offences after their arrest on Monday, following searches in Bairnsdale, Nicholson and Yarram.

Police alleged the pair entered the Yarram Plaza Shopping Centre on James St in Yarram between 3.50am and 4.15am on Friday, July 12.

A police spokesperson said the offenders allegedly restrained three staff members and held them at gunpoint inside Yarram Plaza Hot Bread, before trying to break into an ATM.

Police allege the two armed offenders tried to break into an ATM inside the shopping centre but were unsuccessful. Picture: Jack Colantuono

“They were unsuccessful and then allegedly forced open a cash register at a business inside the complex, however there was no money inside,” the police spokesperson said.

Only two pies were stolen in the raid.

The centre was briefly closed to allow police to investigate and the bakery reopened at 11.30am the same day.

A police spokesperson alleged the pair entered Yarram Plaza Shopping Centre on James St in Yarram between 3.50am and 4.15am on Friday, July 12. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Police also alleged the pair committed an armed robbery at a liquor store on Howitt Ave in Eastwood a week later about 7.50pm on July 19.

“It is alleged a handgun was produced and the offender stole approximately $330 and cigarettes,” the spokesperson said.

The pair was remanded to appear at Bairnsdale Magistrates’ Court on August 15.

Anyone with further information was urged to contact Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000, submit a confidential report online, phone Yarram police station [phone] or Bairnsdale police station on [phone].