Detectives believe a string of break-ins and armed hold-ups across the Central Hunter between October 13th and 26th last month are linked.
The first incident occurred between midnight and 3am on Thursday, October 13, when a club in Cessnock was broken into and money was taken from a number of gaming machines.
The same club was targeted between 11pm and midnight on Sunday, October 16, with money taken from gaming machines.
About 6:40am on Wednesday, October 19, a man entered a Metro service station on Wollombi Road armed with a home-made fake firearm and threatened the attendant. The man left the store without taking any items and was seen entering a waiting vehicle which was driven towards Cessnock.
The man struck again, about 2:20am Saturday, October 22 and again just after 4am on Wednesday, October 26, when entry was forced to a club in Bellbird. A number of gaming machines had coins taken from them.
Tariq Al Issawi from NSW Police says detectives are seeking public assistance to identify a man who on each occasion concealed his identity with a hooded jumper.
"Anyone with information to assist police should call Maitland Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000."
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| CCTV images of the man. |
