Men refused bail over robberies

Police said the robberies occurred in Eaglehawk, NSW and Queanbeyan, NSW.

Police said on Tuesday October 16 about 11:15pm, two men entered a service station at Eaglehawk in NSW and threatened an attendant with a knife.

The men escaped with cash, cigarettes and a cordless phone.

Then, about 3am Wednesday October 17, the two men entered a Queanbeyan service station armed with a knife, and threatened an attendant. The men fled with cash, cigarettes, a laptop computer and phones.

No one was physically injured during the robberies.

About 5.15am on  October 17, police arrested the two men at a licenced club in Queanbeyan and seized a hire car.

Police allege that officers searched and seized several items from the vehicle, which will undergo further forensic analysis.

Queanbeyan resident Patrick Alvarez, 26 and Canberra resident James Markland, 24 were both refused bail when they appeared in Queanbeyan Local Court on Thursday, October 18.

Both men have been charged with two counts of robbery in company,

The police prosecutor said in court: “investigations of this magnitude cannot be solved in five minutes, five hours, five days or five weeks. We will need some time.”

Police said in court: “the two men were on what is known in the community as a drug bender from anywhere between three to four days.”

“Drug paraphernalia and oxycodone were found in the car,” police said.

“The hire car was leased by Mr Alvarez.”

In addition to CCTV footage, proceeds of the crimes were also allegedly found in the hire car at the time of arrest. 

Police alleged that both men held the “bread knife” at separate times during the robberies. 

Police said they consider both men to be share culpability at this stage of the investigation.

Police requested the court not grant bail on two grounds – risk to the community and the potential for the men to interfere with the ongoing investigation.

Police are also seeking a third potential suspect. 

The solicitor representing the two men submitted that both men were of good character with negligible criminal history.

The solicitor also drew attention to the fact both men have a documented history of mental health issues and diagnosis.

In relation to Mr Alvarez the solicitor said: “he finished Year 12 at St Edmund's College in Canberra and obtained certificates in aged care and disability services.”

In relation to Mr Markland the solicitor said: “he has the benefit of a loving and supportive family and employment as a bartender.”

The Magistrate said: “These offences are very serious, with no real explanation as why they were committed.”

“I accept there’s a long way to go in these matters, a lot could change between now and sentencing.”

The Magistrate took into account Mr Alvarez’s mental health and the fact he had no recorded criminal history.

He also took into account the mental health history and negligible criminal record of Mr Markland.

However, due to the prosecution’s strong case and the seriousness of the offences – bail was denied in both cases.

Please contact Crime Stoppers immediately should you have any information related to the above investigation.

Crime Stoppers is a not-for-profit independent community organisation. Information can be provided anonymously.