More Arrests Made Over Terrifying Abermain Armed Robbery

BY JESSICA ROUSE

More charges have been laid over a terrifying hold-up at Abermain Bowling Club earlier this year.

Detectives have charged two more people over the June 19 robbery where a female employee was allegedly tied up with duct tape and $16-thousand dollars was stolen.

The State Crime Command's Robbery and Serious Crime Squad arrested a 33-year-old Weston man and a 29-year-old woman from Pelaw Main yesterday.

The man was refused bail and appears in Maitland Local Court today, the woman was also refused bail and will front Cessnock Local Court today.

They're not the first arrests over the incident, a 35-year-old man was arrested the day after the incident and charged with robbery whilst armed with a dangerous weapon, maliciously damage vehicle by fire, stealing and a number of traffic offences.

He is still before the courts.

Charges laid over raids across the Hunter

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The mystery police presence in the Hunter was solved late yesterday with police charging five associates of the Nomads and Finks bikie gangs, after raids across the Hunter before 9am.

Five search warrents were carried out yesterday at properties in Gillieston Heights, Raymond Terrace, Rutherford and two homes in Telarah, which lead to the arrests of five associates of the bikie gangs.

A 23-year old Raymond Terrace man has been charged with 61 offenses including multiple offenses of firearm trafficking and drug offenses. He refused bail to appear in Maitland Local Court today.

A 26-year old Gillieston Heights man was also arrested and charged with 28 offenses to appear in Raymond Terrace Local Court today. A 27-year old Rutherford man has been charged with three offenses including two drug charges and knowingly participating in a criminal group. He was granted conditional bail to appear in Maitland Local Court in December.

Two women were also arrested and charged - a 31 and 32 year old both from Telarah, who will appear in Raymond Terrace and Maitland Local Courts, respectively, today.

The properties were searched and police seized two firearms including a loaded sawn-off shot gun found at the Gillieston Heights property, more than $150, 000 cash, ammunition and electronic stun devices as well as cannabis, methylamphetamine ('ice'), steroids and MDMA. All of which will undergo forensic examination.

The State Crime Command's Gangs Squad Strike Force Wilwendam was established earlier this year to investigate organised crime activity in the Hunter in conjunction with Port Stephens, Central Hunter and Newcastle City Local Area Commands.