Pensioner armed robbery charge

A TEWANTIN pensioner has been charged with armed robbery more than seven years after allegedly holding up the Pomona Bowls Club.
Police will allege a 59-year-old Tewantin man, Stephen John Berka, entered the School Street club at 9.15am on 16 October, 2009, and threatened a male staff member with a knife, demanding money.
Police said the staff member complied and Mr Berka allegedly left the club with a sum of money.
A tip-off from the public led to Mr Berka’s arrest earlier this week and he appeared at the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Wednesday (7 December).
According to media reports, the police did not oppose bail and Mr Berka’s armed robbery charge was adjourned. The report also said Mr Berka did plead guilty to one count of disqualified driving in May and three counts of failing to appear in court; August, September and November.
In regards to the disqualified driving charge, Mr Berka was fined $1000 and banned from driving for two years. Magistrate Rod Madsen also issued a 12-month jail sentence, immediately suspended, as well as $900 in fines for the failure to appear charge.
Detective Senior Sergeant Daren Edwards said the arrest was an example of how one phone call to Crime Stoppers could reignite an investigation and help police solve a crime.
Mr Berka will next appear in Noosa Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 20 December.