A COUNTRY club manager has praised onsite workers for apparently thwarting an armed robbery last week, but police have released two accomplices of a man who allegedly attacked two officers with their own capsicum spray.
A police helicopter, dog squad and heavily armed officers swept a cordoned-off section of bush near Limeburners Creek last Tuesday, February 17, after three men in a car with no plates were chased along the Bucketts Way.
The trio jumped from the car after police blocked their escape, and it soon became apparent one of the men had a gun. He has been identified as Nash Steven John Cobb, 20, from Karuah.
The group disappeared into the bush, triggering a call for police back-up. A youth, 14, was arrested in bushland and a man, 25, apprehended at a nearby house.
Both were later interviewed and released without charge. Despite a six-hour search, police found no trace of the gunman.
“The other two men have been assisting police with their enquiries,” a police media spokesperson said.
“They’ve been released without charge, pending further enquiries.”
Asked whether police were still monitoring the area thought occupied by Cobb, the spokesperson said, “The investigation is continuing, and police are carrying on the investigation through every available means”.
The chain of events leading to the chase started with an incident at 9.30pm last Monday, when two plain-clothes police officers at the Karuah Mobil service station spotted Cobb.
Wanted for questioning over other offences, Cobb complied with police until they tried to handcuff him. He wrestled with the male and female officers, and one drew a Glock pistol.
Cobb knocked the gun from the officer’s hands, and it was grabbed by a store employee.
The female officer pulled out a can of mace, but Cobb wrenched it from her, sprayed its contents into the officers’ eyes and shattered the locked doors to escape.
Around 8.30am Tuesday, police were called to Tea Gardens Country Club after three men, including Cobb, were reportedly seen cruising the car park in a gold Holden Commodore.
Six workers digging outside alerted the club’s general manager Craig Golledge, who called Raymond Terrace police.
“What set alarm bells ringing was they drove into the car park in this car, a beat-up looking thing with no number plates, and circled the car park,” Mr Golledge said.
“Then they sat there to view the backdoor area, and pulled hoods over their heads.”
Mr Golledge praised the workers’ vigilance.
“With six workers checking things out, [the men in the car] probably thought ‘this is a bit risky now’ and drove off,” he said.
“I think [the workers] did a great job. They probably saved us from being held at gunpoint. I’ll be looking after them the next few days with a few beers.”
A car matching the suspicious vehicle’s description was spotted at Karuah a short time later, and the chase raged from the Pacific Highway to the Bucketts Way before becoming a manhunt at Limeburners Creek.
Cobb is described as Aboriginal in appearance, solidly built and 180 to 185cm tall.
Police have urged the public not to approach him, because he is thought to have access to firearms, and to call 000 immediately.
Anyone with information on Cobb’s whereabouts is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Callers can remain anonymous.
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