A 30-year-old man has been charged after allegedly threatening a 14-year-old worker during an attempted armed robbery at a Chinese restaurant in Long Jetty on Saturday night. Police allege the man, wearing a balaclava, entered the Long Jetty Chinese Restaurant near The Entrance shortly before 6:30pm and demanded money while armed with a knife. Two male patrons dining at the restaurant intervened and restrained the alleged offender before police arrived.
One of the men, aged 55, suffered stab wounds to the neck and was flown to a hospital in Sydney, where he remains in a serious condition. A second 55-year-old man sustained cuts to his hand and has since been discharged from Gosford Hospital. The teenage employee was not physically injured.
Chad Gillies from the Tuggerah Lakes Police District described the alleged attack as “cowardly” and said police would ensure support was available for staff and the local community. Police arrested Adrian Wargent at the scene before taking him to Wyong Police Station. He has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault with intent to rob causing wounding or grievous bodily harm.
The accused was refused bail and is due to return to court in July.
