Three men allegedly broke into a woman’s house at Mogareeka, which is north of Tathra, last week. Photo: Chris Sheedy.
Last week, armed intruders allegedly broke into a 64-year-old woman’s Far South Coast home, tied her to a chair and ransacked the place before stealing her belongings and fleeing.
On Friday (26 August), 42-year-old Benjamin Frances Smith, 30-year-old Blake Anthony Maybury and 19-year-old Maleke Solomon were all refused bail and remanded in custody over their alleged involvement.
NSW Police allege the three covered their faces before breaking into the home on Tathra-Bermagui Road, Mogareeka, at about 3:30 am on Monday (22 August) while armed with knives and a baseball bat.
They allegedly tied the woman to a chair, demanded cash and ransacked the home before fleeing with jewellery and electronic goods.
The woman, who was not physically injured, freed herself and neighbours contacted police at about 6:30 am.
After an investigation officers raided a home on Howard Avenue, Bega, as well as a caravan at the Bega Showground at about 6:00 pm on Thursday (25 August).
Police arrested Mr Solomon at the home and Mr Smith at the caravan.
After more searches, police seized a replica handgun, more than 2.5 kg of cannabis, electronic items, jewellery and other items which will be forensically examined.
Mr Maybury was arrested at a home on Herganhans Lane, Angledale.
All three men have been charged with aggravated break and enter, robbery while armed with an offensive weapon, armed with the intent to commit an indictable offence, take/detain a person with the intent to obtain advantage and common assault.
Mr Solomon was also charged with possessing a prohibited drug, while Mr Smith was handed charges of resisting an officer, possessing an unauthorised pistol and possessing a prohibited drug.
None of the three made any application for bail when they first appeared in Bega Local Court on Friday and it was formally refused.
They will next appear in Batemans Bay Local Court on 2 September.
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