Following a 10-day manhunt, detectives have apprehended and charged a man accused of an armed robbery at the Narooma Hotel where an employee was shot.
Emergency services were called to the hotel around 10.30pm on Friday, 20 March, with reports of a shooting.
An unknown man had allegedly entered the pub and begun firing a weapon, hitting a 31-year-old man police have confirmed was a member of staff, before stealing an amount of cash, including money demanded from patrons he also threatened.
Fleeing the premises, the man reportedly accosted a 17-year-old driver in a Toyota Landcruiser in the carpark next door with the firearm, demanded the teen get out before leaving the scene in the vehicle. The Landcruiser was found on fire shortly after, nearby on the Princes Highway.
Officers from South Coast Police District arrived and located the man with a gunshot wound. He was treated by paramedics before being transported to Moruya Hospital, said to be in a stable condition.
Local police investigated before handing the case to State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad, under Strike Force Cornto.
Extensive inquiries led the Strike Force to attend a dwelling on Bronte Crescent in Sunshine Bay around 7pm Monday evening, assisted by the Tactical Operations Unit and detectives from South Coast Police District.
Officers arrested 41-year-old Deon Rodney Mason, who was taken to Batemans Bay Police Station.
Around the same time a search warrant was executed at a home in Cobargo, 110 kilometres south, where police seized items believed to have been used in the alleged offence.
Mason was charged with assault with intent to rob armed offensive weapon and robbery while armed with dangerous weapon, wound / grievous bodily harm, and fire firearm in or near public place. He was refused bail to appear at Bail Division Local Court on Tuesday.
Facing Court via an audio-visual link, he was again refused bail, to appear before Batemans Bay Local Court 25 May.
The victim – identified as Narooma Hotel worker Thomas – had been travelling and working around Australia with his girlfriend, Mercedes. The pair both gained employment at the hotel last year.
Thomas is now receiving extensive medical treatment in Canberra hospital, and while workcover and insurance are said to be now involved, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist with the immense financial impact to the couple, so far raising $20,760 (at time of writing).
Acting Assistant Commissioner Darren Brand described the injuries Thomas sustained as “life-changing”.
The incident has proven a very unfortunate beginning for veteran hotelier Ned Kelly, who purchased the Narooma Hotel and took over operations in February.
