A man and woman have been charged over the alleged armed robbery of a licensed club in the Hunter Region earlier this year.

About 10.30pm on Monday 19 June 2017, two men, armed with a large hammer and a shotgun, forced their way into a licensed club at Abermain.

The men assaulted a female employee, tied her up with duct tape, and then stole cash before fleeing the club in a vehicle.

The woman managed to contact police from Central Hunter Local Area Command, who attended a short time later.

Shortly after, the vehicle was located burnt out in a nearby street.

Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad established Strike Force Bleechmore to investigate the robbery.

A 35-year-old man was arrested at Jesmond the following day (Tuesday 20 June 2017), and charged with robbery whilst armed with a dangerous weapon, maliciously damage vehicle by fire, stealing, and a number of traffic offences. He remains before the court.

Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives arrested a 33-year-old man at a home at Weston about 8.40am today (Thursday 21 September 2017).

He was taken to the Maitland Police Station and charged with robbery whilst armed with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit an armed robbery.

He has been refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court today.

Shortly after the arrest, a 29-year-old woman was arrested at a home in Pelaw Main (suburb of Cessnock).

She was taken to Cessnock Police Station and charged with concealing a serious offence and conspiracy to commit an armed robbery.

She has been refused bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court today.