A FOURTH man - from West Kempsey - has been charged as part of investigations into a series of armed robberies and a public place shooting on the State's North Coast.
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Detectives from the State Crime Command's Robbery and Serious Crime Squad and Mid North Coast Police District established Strike Force Yengo to investigate several armed robberies which are believed to be linked.
Just after 9pm on November 12, 2017, five men - armed with a machete and iron bars - entered a golf club on West St, Casino, and threatened two male employees.
One of the employees, a 46-year-old man, was hit with the machete and suffered bruising, before the men fled the scene empty handed.
Police were called to a second incident about 5am on July 9 this year and were told three men - armed with bars - approached an employee outside a newsagency at Laurieton.
One of the men allegedly hit the 55-year-old male employee, before threatening him.
They stole cash and fled the store.
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Police also began an investigation after receiving information about shots fired at a home on Rodlee St, Wauchope, on July 10 this year.
As part of their inquiries, strike force detectives, assisted by Strike Force Raptor North, Public Order and Riot Squad, Northern Region Operations Support Group and the Dog Unit, executed six search warrants this week at homes at Port Macquarie, West Kempsey, South Kempsey, Greenhill and Burnt Bridge about 6.30am on Wednesday.
Three men - aged 19, 23 and 29 - were charged that day and remain before the courts.
Following further investigations, detectives arrested a fourth man - aged 23 - at Kempsey Police Station just before 4.30pm yesterday (Thursday).
He was charged with robbery armed with offensive weapon.
Police will allege in court that the man was involved in the Laurieton armed robbery.
The West Kempsey man was refused bail to appear at Kempsey Local Court today.
Investigations under Strike Force Yengo are continuing.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Yengo detectives is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333-000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
