Hunt on for tavern bandits

MARCH 16: Police were called to a suspected armed robbery at the Pottsville Tavern.

Patrick Williams

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POLICE are hunting two masked bandits who held up a Pottsville tavern yesterday afternoon.

Two males, armed with a bolt action rifle, entered the Potts-Full Tavern bottle shop about 3.40pm yesterday and demanded money from a 20-year-old female shop assistant.

One man was wearing a balaclava and the other a hooded jumper.

A 41-year-old man became suspicious of the getaway car and entered the shop armed with a hammer. One of the thieves pointed the gun at him and he dived out of the way.

The thieves escaped with money and several bottles of whisky without firing the gun.

They made their getaway in a 1989-model Ford Laser sedan which police found a short distance away. The car had been stolen from Cabarita about an hour before the robbery occurred.

Police have appealed for anyone who may have information about the robbery to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.