Armidale robbery: 24-year-old charged with Wicklow Hotel armed hold-up; home raided in Solomon Avenue | Strike Force Fryer

The 24-year-old is accused of the armed hold-up of the Wicklow Hotel in Armidale, two days before Christmas.

Strike Force Fryer - the operation by Armidale detectives investigating robberies in that city - got the breakthrough it needed on Thursday, and arrested the accused in Tamworth.

On Friday, officers also raided a Solomon Avenue home in Armidale, and seized jewellery and clothing they will allege is connected to the hotel robbery.

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"The man is in custody at Tamworth Correctional Centre and was taken to Tamworth police station on Thursday, where he was charged following investigations by detectives from Strike Force Fryer," New England Detectives Acting Inspector Matt Crotty told the Leader.

The man, who cannot be named until he appears in court, is facing one count of robbery while armed with an offensive weapon.

Detectives will allege he was armed with a crowbar, and was in the company of co-accused Kenneth Campbell and another man, when they stormed the hotel.

They allegedly threatened the staff inside, stealing cash and other goods, and then fled.

Detective Crotty warned the net was closing in on the third offender.

"We know who the third offender is and it's just a matter of time before we make that arrest," he said.

"We have CCTV, we have collected forensic evidence, investigations are ongoing and further charges are coming.

"Strike Force Fryer continues and, even though we have made three arrests, we're planning to make more arrests in connection to the robbery offences."

Strike Force Fryer has already arrested Jordan Waters, Bruce Walker and Campbell.

All three men have been denied bail on a raft of armed robbery, theft and break-in charges.