Douglas Henry Bower and Michael Hines denied bail after alleged armed robbery at Tamworth service station and COVID-19 health breaches

Douglas Henry Bower, 52, and Michael Hines, 30, appeared in Tamworth Local Court on Tuesday via video link from custody.

Police homed in on the pair after reports a man was armed with a knife when two people entered a service station on Marius Street and threatened the operator before making off with a stash of cash early on Monday morning.

Police claim a short pursuit was sparked after highway patrol officers spotted the Ford Territory heading towards Brisbane Street after leaving the petrol station after midnight, but it was called off due to safety concerns.

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The Ford allegedly still had the stolen cash inside when police later found it parked on Webster Street. The two men were arrested about 11am on Monday.

Bower and Hines both face charges of aggravated enter of a dwelling knowing people are there; as well as not complying with a COVID-19 direction.

Bower faces additional allegations of robbery in company; and robbery armed with an offensive weapon.

He made no application for bail and it was formally refused. Hines and Bower have not entered pleas.

Magistrate Julie Soars ordered police to compile a brief of evidence against the pair and adjourned the matters until late October.

The court heard Hines was accused of entering premises to get car keys, after police claimed the Ford may have been taken without permission.

He is also accused of travelling to Tamworth from the COVID-19 hotspot of Dubbo without a reasonable excuse.

Aboriginal Legal Service solicitor Susanna Gidlow made a bid for Hines to be released on strict bail due to possible delays and the pandemic, but was unsuccessful.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Rebecca Skivington argued Hines had a record of not appearing at court and said there were risks to the community.

She said a report handed up to Ms Soars quoted Hines threatening to "put a bullet" in certain people if he went to jail for something he "didn't do".

Ms Gidlow said Hines had spent almost 24 hours in custody and had been warned he may not be granted bail when he made that comment, and it needed to be taken in context.

"It does appear to be a threat directed towards people involved in the matter," Ms Soars said.

Hines denied having anything to do with Bower.

"I don't even know nothing of him miss," he said.

Ms Soars considered the submissions but ordered Hines to remain behind bars.

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