An off-duty police officer has chased and arrested a man following investigations into six robberies on financial institutions between Belmont and Coffs Harbour over the past two weeks.

 Strike Force Hooton was established to investigate the following robberies:

 – A bank at Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour about 2pm on Wednesday 9 November 2011;

– A credit union at Bowra Street, Urunga about 11.30am on Wednesday 9 November 2011;

– A credit union at Bowra Street, Nambucca Heads about 12.30pm on Thursday 10 November 2011;

– A credit union at Macquarie Street, Belmont about 2.30pm on Wednesday 16 November 2011;

– A building society at Stockton Street, Nelsons Bay about 11.40am on Thursday 17 November 2011; and

– A bank at William Street, Port Macquarie about 12pm on Monday 21 November 2011.

The strike force is led by the Robbery and Serious Crime Squad with assistance from the Coffs/Clarence, Mid North Coast, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens Local Area Commands.

About noon today (Tuesday 22 November 2011), police from Port Stephens Local Area Command attended a hotel in Stockton Street, Nelson Bay, after being called to the premises by a member of the public.

While officers were speaking to a man, he fled the hotel.

Police gave chase, following the man over fences, through buildings and over roofs in an extended foot pursuit.

An off-duty sergeant from Newcastle happened to be driving through Nelson Bay when he noticed the police operation. He immediately stopped his car and joined the chase.

It was this officer who eventually detained and arrested the man.

A 28-year-old St Marys man was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station before being charged with demand money with menaces (x4), attempted armed robbery, armed robbery and being carried in conveyance .

He was refused bail to face Raymond Terrace Local Court tomorrow.