29 September 2008
Hamilton Police have arrested four men in relation to a series of aggravated robberies in the city over recent months.
Detective Sergeant Robert Hermann of Hamilton CIB said the men, two 19-year-olds and two 21-year-olds, were arrested yesterday morning following Police searching four address in the city.
"These searches came about following the robbery of the Challenge service station on Naylor St about 7.20pm.
"Two men had entered the store, threatening the two staff with knives before they made off with a sum of cash," said Mr Hermann.
While searching the properties yesterday Police recovered the stolen cash as well as weapons and clothing either stolen in or used during a number of recent robberies.
"The four, all members of a city street gang, have been charged with various counts of aggravated robbery and are believed to be responsible for at least 11 aggravated robberies of service stations and liquor stores in the city since May.
"The men will all be appearing in the Hamilton District Court this morning and Police will be opposing bail."
Yesterday's arrests brings the number of people charged with aggravated robbery offences in the city since May to 10.
Mr Hermann said despite yesterday's arrests Police cautioned small business owners against complacency highlighting that another offender wanted in connection with a number of other aggravated robberies in the city, Roger BALLER, remains at large.
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