Commonwealth Hotel robbery breakthrough: alleged getaway driver arrested
Samuel Peter Bush, 30, arrested as the alleged getaway driver in the February 2024 armed robbery of the Commonwealth Hotel in Newcastle.
Samuel Peter Bush was arrested in Maitland on Monday, more than 18 months after the Commonwealth Hotel in Cooks Hill was targeted in a pre-dawn raid on 28 February 2024. Police charged Bush with armed robbery, reckless grievous bodily harm in company, and possession of unauthorised firearms.
Samuel Peter Bush was arrested a week after detectives released fresh CCTV images, and less than two weeks after two other offenders were jailed for their roles. The robbery saw $125,000 stolen and a 68-year-old cleaner bashed with a baseball bat as he arrived for his shift.
The gaming manager was forced at knifepoint to open safes and said the trauma left him with severe PTSD, anxiety and depression. Two offenders, John Jerrett with a machete and Marley Tiopira with a baseball bat, were jailed this month for a maximum of more than seven years.
- More than 18 months
- Time since crime
- $125,000
- Amount stolen
- 68 years old
- Cleaner's age
- 28 February 2024, 4am
- Robbery date and time
Why it mattersA significant breakthrough in a violent robbery case provides closure for traumatised victims and shows police persistently pursuing serious crimes across years.
