Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives have today arrested two men in relation to armed robberies at Port Kembla and Werrington in April and May this year.

On Monday 29 April 2013, three people armed with a pistol and a knife allegedly threatened staff at a Port Kembla hotel before escaping with a quantity of cash.

On Sunday 5 May 2013, three people armed with a pistol allegedly assaulted and robbed a patron outside a hotel at Werrington. They then entered the hotel and stole an amount of cash.

On Wednesday 22 May 2013, three people armed with a pistol allegedly threatened staff at the same Port Kembla hotel before escaping with a sum of cash.

Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives established Strike Force Meriki to investigate the robberies, with one man arrested and charged last week in relation to two of the robberies. He remains before the court.

About 7am today (Wednesday 19 June 2013), Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives assisted by officers from the Southern Region attended homes at Sanctuary Point and Fairy Meadow, arresting two men.

The 24-year-old Sanctuary Point man was charged with robbery whilst armed with a dangerous weapon and robbery whilst armed with an offensive weapon. He was refused bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court today (Wednesday 19 June 2013).

The other man remains in custody at Nowra Police Station while inquiries continue. Police anticipate he will be charged with a number of robbery offences.