Michel Germani, the owner of Germani Jewellery, has been arrested and charged with allegedly planning a robbery on his own business. The arrest was made on Monday afternoon after an investigation into a robbery that took place on January 19th, earlier this year.
According to police reports, Germani, who is 65 years old, allegedly orchestrated the robbery to defraud an insurance company. The incident occurred at the Hilton Hotel Syndey CBD store while two male customers were having an appointment with Germani and a 47-year-old female staff member.
Police claim that one of the alleged robbers threatened the staff member with a knife, while the other man demanded access to the store’s safe. Both Germani and the female worker were then allegedly restrained before the robbers fled the store.
Pictured: Michel Germani
However, detective superintendent Joe Doueihi reported that the police found something suspicious about the alleged robbery. They began to investigate the incident further and arrested Mr Germani on Monday, alleging that the robbery was a scam.
“I can indicate there is sufficient evidence that would implicate the store owner in orchestrating the two males to conduct that robbery upon his store,” detective superintendent Joe Doueihi said.
Following the incident, two individuals from Homebush West and Auburn were also charged with aggravated robbery. On Monday, Michel Germani voluntarily presented himself at the Day Street police station and was subsequently arrested upon request by officers.
Germani has been charged with multiple offences, including aggravated robbery and depriving a person of their liberty, attempting to obtain a financial advantage by deception, publishing false or misleading material to obtain property, and participating in a criminal group and contributing to criminal activity.
Michel Germani appeared at Sydney’s Downing Centre on Tuesday but was denied bail. He is scheduled to appear in court again on May 11th.
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