Officer allegedly threatened with axe on Central Coast, three arrested

Police said the Senior Constable called emergency services about 2am on Friday after hearing a loud noise coming from a nearby supermarket at Bateau Bay.

The officer, from Brisbane Water Police District, drove to the shop and saw a white Pantech truck parked inside the front doors of the store.

The truck allegedly twice reversed at speed towards the officer's car, hitting it on one occasion.

The truck then stopped to let out a man, who got into a parked blue vehicle before both fled the scene.

The officer followed the truck onto Promenade Avenue and Peak Street before the driver - a man allegedly armed with an axe - got out of the vehicle and approached the Senior Constable to allegedly threaten him on Hume Boulevard.

The officer was not physically injured and the truck was later found abandoned at Killarney Vale.

Police also pursued the blue vehicle at Tumbi Umbi, but the chase was abandoned for safety reasons.

The State Crime Command's Robbery and Serious Crimes Squad has been investigating the incident and detectives swooped on the men allegedly involved on Tuesday morning.

Three search warrants were executed at properties at Gladesville, Chatswood and Penrith about 7am.

Police seized a blue Audi from the Chatswood home and it will be forensically examined.

At Chatswood, they found a gun which will also be examined.

Two men - aged 46 and 43 - were arrested at the Chatswood property while a 44-year-old man was arrested at Penrith.

The 44-year-old was charged with aggravated break and enter of a dwelling in company and stealing, stealing a vehicle, aggravated break and enter and committing a serious indictable offence in company (stealing), two counts of using an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention and participating in a criminal group contributing to criminal activity.

He appeared at Penrith Local Court on Tuesday, where he was refused bail to face court again on July 23.

A 46-year-old was charged with 13 offences including; three counts of aggravated break and enter of a dwelling in company (stealing), attempted aggravated break and enter dwelling in company (stealing), larceny, receive/dispose stolen property, attempt take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence, police pursuit - not stop - drive recklessly, false representation resulting in police investigation, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime intent to conceal.

A 43-year-old was charged with 12 offences including; two counts of aggravated break and enter dwelling in company (steal), break and enter house, two counts of receive/dispose stolen property, larceny, attempt aggravated break and enter dwelling in company (steal), attempt take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and possess unauthorised prohibited firearm.

Both men were refused bail by police and will face court on Wednesday.

Robbery and Serious Crime Squad commander Detective Superintendent Andrew Koutsoufis, said investigators conducted a swift and thorough inquiry into this incident.

"The offences that occurred on Friday night were brazen, reckless and dangerous, and had the potential to cause significant injury to the public and the off-duty officer who stepped in," he said.

"These individuals targeted a small business on the state's Central Coast, all to make a quick grab for cash without considering the effect it can have on the community.

"NSW Police, together with the public, will not tolerate this level of violence and like today, will act swiftly to ensure those responsible are put before the courts."

Brisbane Water Police District commander Detective Superintendent Brett Greentree praised the off-duty senior constable for his actions.

"The courage displayed by the off-duty police officer last Friday night is exemplary, and he has been commended for his actions," he said.

"The reality is that police face many dangerous scenarios every shift they work, and they will do everything they can to protect the lives of the people of NSW.

"The commitment to protecting the community doesn't stop at the end of the day, or when the uniform comes off, and we are exceptionally proud to have such dedicated police among our ranks."

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