Armed robbery at heritage hotel

An armed robbery at the Wallacia Hotel in Sydney’s West has turned into a manhunt, with police now appealing for public assistance to catch the criminal.

The robbery took place on Friday last week at the Mulgoa Rd venue, a heritage hotel which was once an army barracks, with emergency services called to the venue at around 4.30am.

The unknown thief gained entry through the kitchen window and hid in the beer garden before the attack.

He was armed with a shotgun and threatened two bartenders, holding them at gun point before forcing the two employees to open the safe and stealing $37,000 in cash.

He then left the area in a stolen white Holden Commodore sedan, one of the victim’s vehicles.

He was last seen travelling south on Mulgoa Road.

The two employees were not physically injured during the incident.

“Officers from Nepean Police Area Command established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident,” a Police spokesperson said.

“As inquiries continue, police are appealing for anyone with information, or dashcam footage from the area, to come forward.”

The police are investigating how the thief knew where to hide and when to strike.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.

Irit Jackson, 6th April 2021