Arrest over pokie thefts

Hundreds of thousands stolen from 100 clubs

AN alleged pokie bandit broke into sports clubs, robbed machines and slipped away unidentified in just minutes.

For eight years police allege Tony Glen Hazelwood raided more than 100 clubs in Queensland and NSW, netting hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Yesterday, officers raided an Elanora home, seizing items before arresting the 53-year-old.

He is expected be charged with at least 28 offences and is due to appear in Southport Magistrates Court today.

Police will allege Hazelwood used “specific” and “refined” methods of defeating security systems and machines at sports club between 2009 and 2017.

Detective Senior Sergeant Jason Hindmarsh declined to discuss how the accused allegedly gained access to the machines, or the clubs. He said the investigation was ongoing and police had to be careful not to jeopardise it.

“It’s difficult to put a figure on it, because we’re attempting to link further offences to this gentleman,” he said.

“It’s over the tens of thousands and into the hundreds of thousands in damage and stolen money at this stage.”

Sen-Sgt Hindmarsh said the alleged offender robbed clubs in the early hours of the morning and kept his identity well hidden by wrapping clothing around his head.

He said many Gold Coast clubs were hit more than once and when police took measures to safeguard poker machines at certain venues, Hazelwood allegedly turned his attention to cigarette machines.

He said officers were looking into Hazelwood’s background to determine if he had worked with poker or cigarette machines in the past.

“He has quite a specific way of gaining entry into these premises,” he said.

“Without going into detail I can say he has refined his method where he has taken minimal amount of time to gain entry and a very short … time to be physically on the premises before leaving.”

Sen-Sgt Hindmarsh said police spent hours trawling through reports and CCTV footage to identify the accused.

Police are building a financial profile on Hazelwood to determine how he allegedly moved the money from the robberies.

Property searches reveal Hazelwood purchased a fourbedroom Elanora home for $475,000 in April 2012.

Sen-Sgt Hazelwood said further charges were expected and police would oppose bail.