Man accused of threatening teen worker during knifepoint robbery at NSW restaurant
Quick Look
- A 30-year-old man is in custody after allegedly threatening a 14-year-old worker with a knife during a robbery attempt at a Chinese restaurant in Long Jetty, NSW.
- Two male diners intervened, with one sustaining serious stab wounds.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
A man allegedly threatened a 14-year-old restaurant worker with a knife while attempting to rob a business on the NSW Central Coast. Two diners intervened, with one sustaining serious injuries.
A man will remain behind bars after being accused of threatening a 14-year-old restaurant worker while trying to rob the NSW Central Coast business at knifepoint.
Police say the 30-year-old, wearing a balaclava, walked into the Long Jetty Chinese Restaurant near The Entrance just before 6:30pm on Saturday and demanded money.
Police have praised the swift, brave actions of two men who were dining at the restaurant at the time, when they "intervened and managed to apprehend" the alleged offender.
One man, 55, sustained stab wounds to his neck and was flown to a Sydney hospital where he remains in a serious condition.
A second man, also 55, suffered cuts to his hand, and his since been discharged from Gosford Hospital.
The 14-year-old girl was not injured.
Superintendent Chad Gillies from the Tuggerah Lakes Police District said it was a shocking experience for everyone involved.
"It's absolutely cowardly; it's horrific for me, as a police commander, that that would occur," he said.
"Anyone that threatens anyone is a risk, but certainly when you're threatening a [young] shop attendant, it's completely unacceptable."
He said police would work with staff and the community to ensure she had adequate support.
Adrian Wargent, 30, was arrested at the restaurant and taken to Wyong Police Station.
He was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with intent to rob with wounding/grievous bodily harm.
Superintendent Gillies described it as a brazen act, and an unusual type of crime for the area.
"It was very brazen to be going in at that time of night; it's a busy time of night for those types of restaurants," he said.
Restaurant employee Lian Phua was busy in the kitchen when he said he heard someone screaming, "You put down the knife."
At the time, he said he "was just thinking of the two men" who grabbed the alleged offender and he feared other restaurant patrons could be injured.
He said he spent Sunday morning in church praying for the two men who were injured.
Mr Wargent did not apply for bail and it was formally refused during a bail court hearing on Sunday.
The matter will return to court in late July.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Adrian Wargent will face further court proceedings.
Very likely · Within months
The injured diner will require ongoing medical treatment.
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What was the exact nature of the threat made to the 14-year-old worker?
- What led to the diners' decision to intervene?
- What is the current condition of the diner who sustained stab wounds?
- What is the motive behind the robbery attempt?
