A man accused of robbing a Wollongong hairdressing salon armed with a butter knife and then fleeing with a sum of cash will remain behind bars until his next court appearance in April.
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Trent Raymond Blair, of no fixed address, faced Wollongong Local Court on Thursday charged over the armed robbery of the salon and a separate shoplifting offence.
Police allege the 31-year-old stole a 700ml bottle of Jim Beam from BWS Wollongong, on Burelli Street, about 12.30pm on Wednesday.
According to police, CCTV captured Blair taking the bottle of bourbon, worth $60, from the shelf and placing it in a backpack.
He was confronted by the store manager but allegedly took off without paying and fled the area as security guards arrived.
Blair appeared briefly via video link in court on Thursday, where a guilty plea was entered on his behalf for the shoplifting offence.
Blair is also accused of entering the Nuts About Hair salon, on George Street, about 3.40pm on Wednesday and demanding cash.
While doing so he allegedly threatened a staff member with a weapon, described by police as a "silver dining butter knife".
Blair then fled the shop with $130, police said.
Officers from Wollongong police located Blair on Crown Street about 10 minutes later.
He was taken to Wollongong police station, where he was charged with robbery armed with an offensive weapon and larceny, as well as an outstanding warrant.
Blair did not apply for bail on either charge and it was formally refused by Magistrate Michael Stoddart.
The matters will return to court on April 17.
Andrew Pearson
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
