Foiled Robbery at Cessnock

Hunter police have foiled an attempted armed robbery on the Royal Oak Hotel at Cessnock, with four men due to front court today.

It's alleged the men planned an armed raid on a Newcastle Licensed premises on Friday night, however police were able to foil the attempt.

Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Humphrey fronts the media.

Police say the suspects were spotted wearing masks and bearing arms before advancing on the Royal Hotel at Cessnock at around 11:00PM last night, but fled the scene in a car when police attempted to arrest them.

Three men were arrested following a police pursuit, with an fourth man being arrested near Horsehoe Bend near Maitland this morning after intially eluding the police.

Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Humphrey says two of the four arrested men are wanted regarding a similar armed hold-up on the Mary Ellen Hotel at Merewether last month.