Fake tradie thieves steal $30,000 from Junction Hotel, Newcastle poker machine room cash machine

Three bogus businesses tricked pub-goers into thinking they were busy working as the afternoon rush began as they were stealing the joint.

Wearing hi-vis shorts, caps and face masks, the thieves entered the Junction Hotel in Newcastle, NSW, on July 4 and quickly targeted the slot machine area.

They only stayed inside for a minute but came out with about $30,000 after taking the cash machine.

Two fake tradies (pictured) led pub-goers to believe they were busy with work as the afternoon rush started, but in fact they were robbing the pub

Even the poker room clerk was unaware of their ruse until the men left.

It was around 4.30pm when three thieves disguised as traffickers moved into the popular pub. The first man entered through an emergency exit, with the second walking behind him moments later with a trolley for the money.

A third man, also equipped with high visibility, stood guard at the door.

The two inside simply lifted the dispenser onto the cart and walked out without being challenged.

The men only stayed inside for a minute but walked out with around $30,000 after taking the cash machine from the poker room.

The dispenser was found dumped weeks later on the banks of the Hunter.

Local detectives are investigating links between this theft and similar ones in the area, The Newcastle News reported.

Lambton Park Hotel, Tanilba Bay Golf Club, Mattara Hotel in Charlestown and Hawks Nest Golf Club have all been targeted in recent months.

Each time, the thieves took cigarette machines.

The Junction Hotel (pictured) in Newcastle was the latest of many facilities in the area stolen in recent months, with local detectives searching for a possible link to the other thefts