PANIC AT THE PIZZERIA

The details of a terrifying alleged armed robbery which forced staff to lock themselves up in a storeroom as a knife-wielding pair ransacked the store have been revealed. Two men were charged with aggravated armed robbery after they allegedly pulled a knife on employees at Baldivis Domino’s and demanded “give me your f...ing money”. Donny Eric Craig McConnell, 33, appeared in Perth Magistrate’s court several weeks ago and co-accused Anthony Douglas McConnell, 28, appeared in Rockingham Magistrate’s Court on February 28 via video link from Hakea. Anthony McConnell’s lawyer John Hawkins said his client was likely to plead guilty to the alleged robbery which occurred on January 24. Police prosecutor Sergeant Brian Sutherland told the court Mr McConnell entered the Domino’s store on Norseman Approach about 9.50pm followed by his co-accused. He wore a hoodie and had tied a singlet to his face to hide his identity before entering the store, where he allegedly pulled a knife on employees and yelled at them to hand over the money. The employees ran into a store room and locked the door to avoid the men. Mr McConnell’s co-accused then grabbed the tablet used to take orders at the store, before the pair ran off. On January 28 police arrested Mr McConnell and said they found the knife used in the robbery alongside the clothes he had worn, at his Baldivis address. Mr Hawkins said his client had been fully co-operative with police and had even helped them identify his co-accused. Magistrate Adam Hills-Wright said Mr McConnell had been on a community-based order at the time of offending, which put him in a “concerning” position for sentencing. He stated it was “clearly a very serious case with strong evidence” and remanded Mr McConnell in custody until his next appearance on April 3. Co-accused Donny McConnell also appeared at Rockingham Magistrate’s Court on Friday via video link from Hakea for a separate stealing offence. He pleaded guilty to the offence, which occurred on the same day as the alleged robbery at the Domino’s store. Sgt Sutherland told the court McConnell stole $240 worth of whisky from First Choice Liquor in Baldivis and was caught on CCTV carrying the alcohol out of the store. He was fined $600 plus court costs and ordered to pay the liquor store $120.

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PANIC AT THE PIZZERIA