Police are investigating a violent armed robbery last week at the Commonwealth Hotel in Cooks Hill where a worker was seriously injured.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District were called to the premises at the intersection of Union and Bull Streets around 4.45am on Tuesday morning, in response to a report of an armed robbery where two men, said to have been armed with a machete and a baseball bat, had forced entry and confronted employees.
The bandits fled with an unspecified amount of cash and it is understood a cleaner was bashed when he tried to escape. He was later found injured on King Street, more than a block from the pub. Police performed CPR until paramedics arrived, and he was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition.
A second staffer was not injured.
Forensic police and detectives closed the pub and Union Street between Bull and King streets, and are calling for any witnesses or possible holders of dashcam footage.
The men are described as Caucasian and aged in their 20s. They were wearing masks.
The pub was able to resume trade on Wednesday and issued a statement on social media that ‘The Commy Team’ were assisting police.
“Our immediate concerns and thoughts are with the staff involved and their speedy recovery.”
