Bellambi pub robbery foiled

The Bellambi Hotel

POLICE are investigating whether the theft of an ATM from Mt Kembla Hotel this morning is connected to a break-in at the Bellambi Hotel two hours later.

Wollongong detectives are investigating a possible link to the break-in at the Bellambi Lane pub, which occurred about 5.30am today (Wednesday).

During the break-in, the intruders were disturbed by the hotel’s cleaners and ran from the watering hole empty-handed.

Prior to the Bellambi incident, Wollongong police were called to Mount Kembla Hotel about 3.20am after reports of the theft of an ATM.

Three men smashed the front glass doors of the Cordeaux Road pub and ran inside. The men forcibly removed the ATM and pushed it towards the front doors and into a white Holden Commodore utility that was waiting outside.

The vehicle was last seen heading north on Cordeaux Road.

Residents who heard the alarm sounding called police. Specialist police are reviewing CCTV footage.

It has been confirmed that the vehicle used in the break-in was stolen from Maynes Parade, Unanderra, 10 minutes before the Mount Kembla theft. The utility was later found burnt out in Berkley.

Wollongong detectives are keen to speak with anyone who may be able to assist with their inquiries.

Police have been told one of the men appeared to be aged in his early 20s, and was about 180cm tall with a thin build. He was wearing a black balaclava with a black baseball cap and a dark coloured long sleeve top and pants. All men had their faces covered and had dark clothing.