Staff and patrons threatened in hotel robbery
In a shocking robbery, terrified staff at The Australian Hotel in South Townsville were forced to hand over a large amount to three masked men armed with a screwdriver, knife and tomahawk.
The robbery happened when the hotel was just about to close which, according to police, suggested the robbers had been watching the hotel and had planned it.
The men entered via the rear entrance of the Palmer St pub and forced two male staff and two patrons to lie down or move to certain sections of the hotel.
The robbery only took less than five minutes.
When they were done, the men fled out the back door and into a vehicle, which had been stolen just two days before.
Police arrived at the scene after midnight.
Detective Senior Constable Troy Bond of the Townsville Criminal Investigation branch said the black utility used by the robbers was later located nearby.
“Police are appealing for assistance from the public,” Detective Senior Constable Bond told the Townsville Bulletin.
“The level of aggression varied between the three (men) ... the victims were definitely concerned that their safety was at risk.”
“There appeared to be an element of planning in this offence.”
He said police were now reviewing CCTV footage.
Detectives were also investigating the theft of the vehicle days earlier.
“At this stage we are looking through CCTV footage and calling for witnesses," he said.
“As far as descriptions, they were very well covered, wearing hoodies, long-sleeved shirts and pants that covered most of their features.”
He said there had been no indications of similar robberies in Townsville.
There have been offences ... I can’t comment on whether there has been any spike (in armed robberies),” Det Sen Const Bond said.
“They (the victims) have been confronted by people who are armed ... they have been offered the appropriate counselling.”
by Leon Gettler, May 19th 2016
