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Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
National

Phone taps show accused Commonwealth Hotel armed robber discussed cash, plotted second target

ONE of the men accused of holding up the Commonwealth Hotel, stealing more than $120,000 and leaving a cleaner in hospital, was allegedly picked up in telephone intercepts discussing his share of the proceeds and conspiring to rob a second pub.

Marley Tiopira, 28, of Cameron Park, was represented by solicitor Cameron Duncan when he applied for bail in Newcastle Local Court on Friday.

Police at the Commonwealth Hotel after last month's armed robbery. Picture by Peter Lorimer
The scene outside the hotel yesterday. Picture by Peter Lorimer
Detectives and forensic police at the Commonwealth Hotel after an employee was injured in an armed robbery and cash was stolen. Pictures by Peter Lorimer
Detectives and forensic police at the Commonwealth Hotel after an employee was injured in an armed robbery and cash was stolen. Pictures by Peter Lorimer
Forensic police dusted the courtesy bus outside the Commonwealth Hotel at Cooks Hill for fingerprints. Picture by Peter Lorimer
Forensic police at the scene of the armed robbery at Cooks Hill. Picture by Peter Lorimer
The crime scene extended to King Street, where a man was found injured. Picture by Peter Lorimer
Forensic police and detectives were at the scene of the armed robbery at Cooks Hill. Picture by Peter Lorimer
The crime scene extended to King Street, where a man was found injured. Picture by Peter Lorimer
Police at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter Lorimer
Police near the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter Lorimer
Police at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter Lorimer
Forensic police examined the crime scene at Cooks Hill on February 28. Picture by Peter Lorimer
Police at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter Lorimer
Police at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter Lorimer
Police at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter Lorimer
Police at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter Lorimer
Forensic police examined the crime scene at Cooks Hill on February 28. Picture by Peter Lorimer
Forensic police examined the crime scene at Cooks Hill on February 28. Picture by Peter Lorimer
Police at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter Lorimer
Police and paramedics performed CPR on a man found injured on King Street. Picture by Marina Neil
Police at the scene on King Street on February 28. Picture by Marina Neil
Police at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter Lorimer
Police at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter Lorimer
Police at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter Lorimer
Forensic police combed the scene at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter Lorimer
Union Street at King Street was closed on the morning of February 28 due to the police operation.
Evidence markers at the King Street and Union Street intersection in Newcastle West. Picture by Marina Neil
Police at the scene on King Street on February 28. Picture by Marina Neil
Police at the scene at the intersection of Union Street and King Street on February 28. Picture by Marina Neil
Police at the scene on King Street on February 28. Picture by Marina Neil
Police at the scene on King Street on February 28. Picture by Marina Neil
Police combed the scene at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter Lorimer
Police at the scene at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter Lorimer
Shoes outside the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter Lorimer
Forensic police combed the scene at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter Lorimer
Forensic police combed the scene at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter Lorimer
Police operation on King Street at about 7am. Picture by ACM
Police operation at Cooks Hill. Picture by ACM
Police operation at Cooks Hill. Picture by ACM
Police operation at Cooks Hill. Picture by ACM
Police operation at Cooks Hill. Picture by ACM

Mr Tiopira and 37-year-old John Jerrett - who the court heard was the partner of Mr Tiopira's aunt - are accused of being armed with a machete and a baseball bat when they forced their way into the popular Cooks Hill pub about 4.45am on February 28.

The pair allegedly made a hotel manager move around on his knees and open safes before fleeing with $124,456.

A cleaner was allegedly assaulted during the armed robbery and suffered a medical episode.

He was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition but has since made a full recovery, police have said.

Mr Tiopira and Mr Jerrett have been charged with armed robbery, reckless grievous bodily harm in company and conspiring to commit armed robbery in company and have not yet entered pleas.

Details of the police investigation and alleged plot to hold up the Edgeworth Tavern were revealed during Mr Tiopira's failed bid for bail on Friday.

Detectives say an intercepted phone call later on the morning of the armed robbery picked up Mr Tiopira referencing $40,000, which they allege was his share of the robbery proceeds.

In another call a few days later, Mr Tiopira allegedly said: "I went through $130,000 the other night", which prosecutors allege was a reference to the Commonwealth Hotel robbery.

They also allege he was recorded saying "I'm sitting on this thing" while near the Edgeworth Tavern and, when Mr Jerrett was arrested, Mr Tiopira allegedly discussed the getaway car and said Mr Jerrett was "stupid for not reporting it stolen".

Police prosecutor Sergeant Jason Clarke said it was an "extremely strong" prosecution case and police had concerns that there was at least one other person involved who had not been arrested and the weapons used in the robbery and the money stolen had not been recovered.

"Even after committing the first offence he was planning to commit further armed robberies," Sgt Clarke said. "He poses an unacceptable risk to every member of society, especially those who go to licensed premises."

Mr Duncan said it was a serious offence, but Mr Tiopira had explained away any of the concerning comments picked up in listening devices, including that the $40,000 was a reference to the potential sale of a litter of rare dogs.

He said it was a circumstantial case, with no fingerprints or DNA recovered and Mr Tiopira would spend at least two years behind bars while he awaited trial.

Magistrate Robert Stone said he was "very suspicious" about the text messages between Mr Tiopira and Mr Jerrett and Mr Tiopira and his partner and said he ticked all the boxes in terms of being an unacceptable risk.

Mr Stone said the proposed bail conditions did not mitigate the risk and refused Mr Tiopira bail. The two men are back in court on June 19.

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