A man accused of holding up a Thirroul bank with a gun on Friday has been identified in court.
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Police charged Bradley Scott Jones with robbery while armed with dangerous weapon.
The 42-year-old from Bulli chose not to appear on video link from the Wollongong Police holding cells below, during a brief mention in court on Saturday.
Jones did not apply for bail and it was formally refused.
Jones did not have any supporters in court. His case will be heard again on Tuesday, June 12.
Police allege Jones was armed with a gun when he entered the Commonwealth Bank and threatened staff while demanding money just before noon, on Friday.
Police say a sum of cash was handed to Jones before he ran from the bank.
Jones was allegedly seen getting into a vehicle that was parked outside on Lawrence Hargrave Drive.
Wollongong police, the dog unit and PolAir were brought in for the ultimately brief manhunt.
Police allegedly located the vehicle a short time later on Point Street, Bulli, where Jones and a 39-year-old woman were arrested and taken to Wollongong Police Station.
Officers executed a crime scene warrant at a unit on Point Street and a number of items were seized including clothing.
Jones was charged but the 39-year-old woman was released pending further inquiries.
The location of the alleged crime – in seaside Thirroul, Lawrence Hargrave Drive the only way in or out, came a surprise to many passers-by.
“In Thirroul – who would have thought?” said one passer-by to another.
The Commonwealth Bank was cordoned off with police tape.
Paramedics assessed a bank employee, believed to be the staff member directly involved in the hold-up.
She was understood to have been shaken by the encounter and was seen being comforted by other staffers.
She did not require medical treatment.
A spokeswoman later advised the branch had been temporarily closed.
“Our first priority is the safety of our employees, customers and members of public.,” she said.
“As a result, the branch will remain closed until further notice. No staff or customers were physically injured as a result of the incident.”