Detectives investigating a number of armed robberies in Port Stephens have arrested and charged two men.

Comprised of detectives from State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad and officers from Port Stephens Local Area Command, Strike Force Royalty was formed to investigate a number of armed robberies committed over the past four weeks:

• An armed robbery of a post office on Prince Street in Clarence Town on 22 February 2012;
• An armed robbery of a licensed club on Lemon Tree Passage Road in Tanilba Bay on 28 February 2012;
• An armed robbery of a licensed club on Meredith Avenue in Lemon Tree on 7 March 2012.

About 5.10pm yesterday (Tuesday 20 March 2012), officers attached to Strike Force Royalty arrested and charged a 23-year-old Mayfield man and a 25-year-old Raymond Terrace man.

Both were taken to Newcastle Police Station where the 23-year-old man was charged with three counts of robbery whilst armed with a dangerous weapon, dealing with the proceeds of crime and participating in a criminal enterprise.

The 25-year-old man was charged with two counts of armed robbery whilst armed with a dangerous weapon and participating in a criminal enterprise.

Both men were refused bail and will appear in Newcastle local court today (Wednesday 21 March 2012).