Two people have been charged following the alleged robbery of a Windsor hotel, with one of the alleged perpetrators an employee of the pub.
Police were called to the Fitzroy Hotel in Sydney’s north-west about 9.30pm on Sunday, 18 September.
They were told a man wearing dark clothing and a face covering had gained entry to the premises, threatened a female employee, and demanded cash out of a till and a safe in the office.
The woman reportedly complied, putting cash into a bag provided by the man, who then then fled the location via Union Lane, at the rear of the pub.
Although said to be shaken, the woman was not physically injured during the incident.
Officers from Hawkesbury Police Area Command attended. A crime scene was established, which underwent forensic examination, and detectives launched Strike Force Craigmoor to investigate the robbery.
In an attempt to gain information from members of the public, in early November police released CCTV footage (below), showing the movements of a man described as being of medium build, about 170-180cm tall.
Further investigation led to detectives executing search warrants at two homes.
A 44-year-old man was arrested at Baulkham Hills on Thursday (10 November). He was taken to Windsor Police Station and charged with in dwelling, steal and break out, break and enter dwelling with intend steal, and break and enter and steal.
He appeared at Penrith Local Court the following day, where he was formally refused bail. He is set to appear again at the same court on Friday, 18 November.
A 37-year-old woman was arrested at a premise in North Rocks on Saturday (12 November). She was taken to Windsor Police Station, charged with more counts: in dwelling, steal and break out, make false official instrument to pervert course justice, break and enter dwelling with intend steal – principal second degree, and break and enter and steal – principal second degree.
She was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday, where her lawyer proposed bail conditions and cited the woman’s minimal record, and argued that even a guilty verdict might not result in custody.
But the police prosecutor opposed her application, citing a strong case and the seriousness of the charges involving a “substantial amount of money” that has largely disappeared. He stressed a “strong connection between the two” defendants, despite their denial.
The magistrate agreed, noting the breach of trust element of a matter alleging the woman was involved with a break and enter and thefts at her place of employment.
The defendant was granted conditional bail and is due to face Windsor Local Court on 2 February, 2023.