Detectives and forensic police at the Commonwealth Hotel after an employee was injured in an armed robbery and cash was stolen. Pictures by Peter LorimerDetectives and forensic police at the Commonwealth Hotel after an employee was injured in an armed robbery and cash was stolen. Pictures by Peter LorimerForensic 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 LorimerThe crime scene extended to King Street, where a man was found injured. Picture by Peter LorimerForensic police and detectives were at the scene of the armed robbery at Cooks Hill. Picture by Peter LorimerThe crime scene extended to King Street, where a man was found injured. Picture by Peter LorimerPolice at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter LorimerPolice near the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter LorimerPolice at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter LorimerPolice at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter LorimerForensic police examined the crime scene at Cooks Hill on February 28. Picture by Peter LorimerPolice at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter LorimerPolice at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter LorimerPolice at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter LorimerPolice at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter LorimerPolice at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter LorimerForensic police examined the crime scene at Cooks Hill on February 28. Picture by Peter LorimerForensic police examined the crime scene at Cooks Hill on February 28. Picture by Peter LorimerPolice at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter LorimerPolice and paramedics performed CPR on a man found injured on King Street. Picture by Marina NeilPolice at the scene on King Street on February 28. Picture by Marina NeilPolice at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter LorimerPolice at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter LorimerPolice at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter LorimerForensic police combed the scene at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter LorimerUnion 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 NeilPolice at the scene on King Street on February 28. Picture by Marina NeilPolice at the scene at the intersection of Union Street and King Street on February 28. Picture by Marina NeilPolice at the scene on King Street on February 28. Picture by Marina NeilPolice at the scene on King Street on February 28. Picture by Marina NeilPolice combed the scene at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter LorimerPolice at the scene at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter LorimerShoes outside the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter LorimerForensic police combed the scene at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter LorimerForensic police combed the scene at the Commonwealth Hotel on February 28. Picture by Peter LorimerPolice operation on King Street at about 7am. Picture by ACMPolice operation at Cooks Hill. Picture by ACMPolice operation at Cooks Hill. Picture by ACMPolice operation at Cooks Hill. Picture by ACMPolice operation at Cooks Hill. Picture by ACM
A WORKER that was injured during a violent armed robbery at the Commonwealth Hotel before dawn remained in hospital on Wednesday night.
The Cooks Hill pub confirmed it would stay closed while forensic police and detectives combed the area for clues as they tried to piece together how the hold-up unfolded and who was behind it.
A hotel worker - believed to be a cleaner - was seriously injured and two armed men remained on the run on Wednesday afternoon after the robbery about 4.45am that morning.
A Hunter New England Health spokesperson confirmed the man was still in John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition more than 12 hours later.
A second employee at the hotel was left shaken but not physically hurt in the ordeal.
Emergency services were called to the hotel at the intersection of Union Street and Bull Street after reports two men - wielding a machete and a baseball bat - forced their way in and confronted the two workers.
Newcastle police rushed to the scene and immediately started CPR on a man that was found seriously injured on King Street, before ambulance paramedics arrived.
It's understood a cleaner at the Commonwealth Hotel was bashed when he tried to escape the armed men.
The intruders fled with what the Newcastle Herald understood to be a substantial amount of cash.
The assailants were described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged in their 20s and wearing masks.
A passerby told the Herald at the scene they heard "screaming" at about 4.30am.
Crime scenes were established and Union Street was closed in both directions between Bull and King streets while officers searched the area.
King Street was also partially closed at the intersection of Union Street and local traffic diversions were in place on Wednesday morning, throwing the morning commute into chaos for some drivers.
The Commonwealth Hotel was cordoned off with police tape and detectives and forensic officers were seen swarming the area.
The Commonwealth Hotel's courtesy van was seen being dusted for fingerprints, while forensic officers photographed items of interest.
Yellow evidence markers were set up and forensic photographs taken at the King Street end of the crime scene as well.
Detectives worked on the case throughout the day on Wednesday and the manhunt for the armed offenders continued into the evening, police confirmed.
A public statement from "The Commy Team" said staff were assisting police and the hotel would be shut while officers continued their investigations at the scene.
"Our immediate concerns and thoughts are with the staff involved and their speedy recovery," the statement said.
"The Commonwealth Hotel will reopen for trade later on [Wednesday] once we have been given clearance to do so.
"We thank you for your patience whilst we deal with this very unfortunate incident."
As investigations continue, any witnesses, anyone who may have dashcam footage, or anyone else that noticed suspicious activity in the area has been urged to contact Newcastle police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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