A Central Coast man has been arrested over five historical armed robberies at Erina, Avoca Beach, Charmhaven, Gorokan and Gwandalan in 2001 and 2005.
In October 2001, two men armed with a firearm stormed an Erina jewellery store, threatening staff before stealing cash and jewellery, and making off in a Holden Commodore sedan, driven by third man.
It’s alleged one of the men leant out and fired a shot at an off-duty probationary constable, who was pursuing them on foot.
Most other armed robberies, which took place in 2005, follow a similar pattern where a group of men storm a premises, demand cash and flee in a car driven by another person.
An Avoca Beach post office, a Gwandalan post office, a licensed hotel on the Pacific Highway at Charmhaven and a pharmacy on Wallarah Road, Gorokan were all targeted.
No one was physically injured during the five incidents.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad established Strike Force Braithwaite to investigate the incidents, which they believe are linked.
On Thursday morning, strike force detectives executed a search warrant at a home in Tacoma and arrested a 54-year-old man.
Three men – aged 36, 47 and 57 – have also been charged and are before the courts.
Police Divers are assisting with the investigation and are currently conducting a search of a section of the Wyong River.
The man was taken to Wyong Police Station, where he was charged.
