A man arrested by the Robbery and Serious Crime Squad today is the seventh man to be charged over a spate of armed robberies and attempted armed robberies upon hotels throughout Sydney.

Strike Force Extend was established in October 2012 and detectives have been investigating numerous armed and attempted armed robberies, and associated aggravated break and enters, that occurred throughout Sydney’s Inner and South-West.

Police allege staff members and patrons at the hotels were threatened with firearms. The offenders escaped in high performance cars which had been stolen from aggravated break and enters.

The incidents include:

– A hotel at Glebe, 9 October 2012 – A hotel at Northbridge, 18 March 2013 – A hotel at Drummoyne, 8 April 2013 – A hotel at Auburn, 8 April 2013 – A hotel at Leichhardt, 11 April 2013 – A hotel at Camperdown on 18 April 2013 – A hotel at Ultimo, 22 April 2013

Prior to today, detectives had arrested six people aged from 17 to 25 who were charged with numerous armed robbery and firearms offences.

Stolen cars, cash and firearms have been seized by police.

Earlier today (Thursday 2 May 2013), a 23-year-old man was arrested at Silverwater and taken to Parramatta Police Station.

He was charged with robbery whilst armed (x2); aggravated robbery whilst armed; possess unauthorised pistol; and possess unauthorised firearm.

The charges relate to robberies upon hotels at Drummoyne and Auburn on 8 April 2013, and a hotel at Leichhardt on 11 April 2013.

The man was refused bail and is expected to appear at Parramatta Local Court today.