A MAN has been denied bail on seven robbery charges after an alleged crime spree in Armidale and on the South Coast.
Kenneth James Campbell was refused bail in an out-of-sessions bail hearing on Friday morning in Armidale Local Court – about 24 hours after his arrest in Armidale.
The 25-year-old is accused of robberies at the Wicklow Hotel; Whitebull Hotel; the BP service station; two women in separate incidents; an attempted hold-up at the Powerhouse Hotel; an aggravated break-in at the golf club; as well as stolen car offences.
After further investigations, he was also charged with an armed robbery that occurred last year on the South Coast.
Campbell was not required to enter pleas to the charges and will return to court later this month.
He was cornered by several police in a house in Marsh Street in Armidale on Thursday morning, ending a week-long manhunt.
Police suspected Campbell had been hiding, moving to a new place daily to avoid being captured.
After his arrest, police searched the home and seized a machete, mobiles and other goods they allege were connected to the crimes.
Strike Force Fryer has been investigating the string of robberies across Armidale and was set up by detectives who suspected the offences were linked.
The strike force has charged two other men in connection to the Powerhouse hold-up; as well as the aggravated break-and-enter on the golf club; the robberies of two separate women, including one in an Allingham Street home; and stealing and using a stolen car.
Co-accused Jordan Waters and Bruce Walker remain behind bars on several charges.
Extracted from Northern Daily Leader