Staff at a Gerringong club were confronted by three men with rifles during an armed robbery on Monday night.
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An hour later in Berry, a man pointed a firearm at police during an attempted break-in at a local hotel before fleeing the scene.
Police believe the incidents are linked.
Detective-Sergeant Jim Wilson from Lake Illawarra Local Area Command said three men forced entry to the club by smashing the glass doors about 10.30pm.
The club had just closed and three employees were counting the day’s takings and cleaning up.
Staff in the office were confronted by the armed men, whose faces were concealed.
They stole an amount of money from the register before fleeing.
The employees – two women aged 33 and 23 and a 19-year-old man – managed to lock themselves in a back office and call police.
Gerringong Bowling Club secretary-manager Peter Head was on the scene shortly after the incident, and estimated $2000 damage had been done in addition to the money stolen.
He said one staff member was confronted, and all involved were doing well.
“We’re in contact with them, and have offered a debriefing and counselling,” he said.
A search of the area was conducted, however, the offenders were not located.
Investigations are continuing.
The men are described as being of large build, all wearing dark coloured clothing.
In the Berry incident, police from Shoalhaven Local Area Command were patrolling the Princes Highway about 11.30pm when they saw the doors of the Great Southern Hotel’s bottle shop were damaged.
A man outside the shop pointed a firearm directly at police in the vehicle, before running away.
Additional resources were called to the scene with police from Shoalhaven, Lake Illawarra, as well as the Dog Unit and Highway Patrol assisting.
Police searched the area but the man could not be found.
Police are urging anyone with information relating to the incidents to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
