A 30-year-old man has been charged in connection with a series of alleged armed robberies across the Newcastle region throughout May 2026. Police allege the man targeted multiple businesses, using weapons such as knives and scissors to intimidate staff and steal cash and electronic devices.
The alleged crime spree began on Wednesday, May 13, when the man reportedly entered a shopping centre in Newcastle West and took an electronic device without paying. A few days later, on Sunday, May 16, he returned to the same shopping centre, allegedly producing a knife and threatening a shop assistant before stealing two electronic devices.
The following day, Monday, May 17, the man allegedly entered a restaurant on Hunter Street in Newcastle West, brandishing scissors and threatening staff before making off with an undisclosed amount of cash. The pattern continued on Friday, May 22, when he allegedly demanded money from a shop assistant at a restaurant in Jesmond, stealing cash. The next day, Saturday, May 23, at approximately 11:10 am, he is accused of entering another restaurant on Bluegum Road in Jesmond, armed with a knife, and threatening staff before taking cash.
Police arrested the man at a residence on Bluegum Road, Jesmond, at 7:00 am on Sunday, May 24. He was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with three counts of robbery with an offensive weapon, one count of demanding money with menace, and one count of shoplifting. He was refused bail and is scheduled to appear before the bail court on Monday.
The investigation remains ongoing, and police have not ruled out further charges. The man's identity has not been released as legal proceedings continue.
