Alleged bank robber made own gun
A MAN charged with the armed robbery of the National Australia Bank at Tweed Heads South last year was refused bail yesterday.
Rodney Hoole, 20 of Banora Point faced Lismore Local court on Tuesday charged with committing a robbery while being armed with an offensive weapon.
Police facts tendered before the court stated Hoole's "weapon" was in fact two pieces of PVC pipe joined together and covered with a pillow slip to disguise the fact that it wasn't a double barrelled shotgun.
Police allege Hoole tapped the 'weapon' on the counter of the bank on December 20 and pointed it at two tellers before demanding money.
"Come on give me the money," Hoole allegedly said to the tellers.
"What did you say," a teller replied.
"Come on. Give me the money," Hoole is alleged to have said.
After a teller handed Hoole $3890 he ran from the bank and was pursued on foot by several staff members toward Tweed City Shopping Centre.
During the chase Hoole dropped the "weapon" which nearby patrolling police seized.
Hoole managed to evade police following the robbery.
Police then launched an investigation into the hold-up and viewed both the closed circuit TV footage from the bank and Tweed City Shopping Centre.
After identifying Hoole, police set up a photo line-up in which both the bank tellers identified Hoole as the man who robbed the bank.
Police executed a search warrant in March at Hoole's mother's Banora Point home and arrested the known drug addict in an upstairs bedroom.
Hoole didn't apply for bail which was formerly refused by Magistrate Denes.
She adjourned the matter for reply on June 5 at Lismore Local court.
