CENTRAL Hunter police fear a group of bandits believed to be responsible for at least two early morning armed robberies will continue to target Coalfields businesses.
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An Aberdare newsagency became the second business to be targeted in 48 hours after three men stormed the shop armed with metal poles and robbed the owner on Monday.
The hold-up, which occurred just after 6am, came two days after an employee at a Bellbird service station was threatened by two men armed with poles or tyre levers.
The cowards watched the employee until he appeared to go to the toilet before entering, jumping him as he walked back into the shop.
The attack on the Metro service station, on Wollombi Road, occurred at 6.25am on Saturday – about the same time of day as Monday’s robbery.
In both robberies, the bandits threatened their victims before demanding cash and cigarettes.
Both occurred on main roads and detectives are hopeful motorists may have seen something at either location.
They are confident both robberies are the work of the same group, and believe at least three petrol thefts around the Coalfields could also be linked.
The failure to pay for fuel has occurred a few hours before each of the armed robberies.
Central Hunter crime manager Detective Inspector Mitch Dubojski said detectives were concerned the small amounts of cash and cigarettes stolen by the group during the two robberies meant they would need to keep offending.
He urged anyone with information to call Central Hunter detectives on 4934 0200 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.