Two men charged with falsely reporting armed robbery at the Derwent Park TAB

Two young men accused of staging a bogus armed robbery at the Derwent Park TAB have been charged with falsely reporting a crime and stealing.

A police investigation into an alleged armed robbery reported to have happened at the TAB in Derwent Park earlier this month determined the incident did not occur.

TWO young men accused of staging a bogus armed robbery at the Derwent Park TAB have been charged with falsely reporting a crime and stealing.

A 19-year-old Berriedale man and a 19-year-old Lenah Valley man will appear before the Hobart Magistrates Court in June.

Members of the Glenorchy Criminal Investigation Branch this month asked the public for information after receiving a report of an armed robbery at the TAB about 6.30pm on April 15.

Police were allegedly told a staff member at the TAB was closing the business for the day when he was approached by a man outside dressed in dark clothing.

The alleged offender was then accused of forcing the employee inside the premises and demanding money from a safe before fleeing on the staff member’s red Triumph Sprint motorbike, which was parked outside.

Police found the dumped motorbike on Lower Domain Rd a short time later.

Detective Acting Inspector David Gill yesterday said it was “disappointing” that significant police resources had been used to investigate what turned out to be a false report.

“Crimes such as armed robbery have the potential to cause alarm and apprehension in the community,” he said.

“The police investigation into the armed robbery reported to have occurred at the UTAB on Derwent Park Rd on April 15 determined that an armed robbery did not occur.

“I’d like to thank those members of the community who provided information that assisted the police investigation.”