Police renew calls for information into Premier Hotel attack

Detectives investigating the robbery and arson attack on the Premier Hotel have launched a fresh appeal for information believing a mystery caller to Crime Stoppers could hold valuable information to solve the crime.

Almost two months after licensee Graeme Cooper was attacked and two men stole a “sizeable” amount of cash before setting the pub on fire in the early hours of Friday May 13, Mr Cooper has pleaded for anyone with information to come forward.

Detectives on Tuesday released new footage of a car seen in the Albany area in the lead up to the arson attack and robbery.

Detective Senior Constable Dan Heller said the two male attackers who were last seen driving from the area in a vehicle described as a dark grey mini-van, may actually have been driving a dark coloured 4WD or another vehicle of similar size.

Det. Sen Const. Heller said an anonymous caller to Crime Stoppers four days after the offence on May 17 may hold vital information.

“Police believe that person may hold more information however they didn’t leave their details when they contacted so we are asking that person to please make contact with police so we can see what other information they may hold about the offence,” he said.

“That person will know who they are and hopefully re-establish contact with us.

“There has been some time but the main thrust of it is we are really relying on someone who knows something.

“We know there are people out there who know who these people are. We know there are people out there who do hold information which will assist us so we are appealing for them to come forward to progress the investigation.”

Det Sen Const Heller said there was a “distinct possibility” the attackers came from outside of Albany and there were elements of planning involved in the offence.

The footage is the second piece of information released by detectives after CCTV from inside the hotel showing Mr Cooper being detained by the two men was released two weeks after the incident.

Mr Cooper said the damage was still being assessed but he and business partner Rumeena Nizam hoped to re-establish the pub.

“At the moment we are still working with the building owners and the insurance companies and we will do what we can to get it up and running when we can,” he said.

"We just wanted to run a clean good business, run a pub where everyone was welcome and come in for a good time I don't see why anybody would be against that.

“They can take your money, they can burn down your pub but at the end of the day the pub can get over this. my partner and I will get over this but they will always be those people.

“You can’t do something like this and get away with it.”

A $25,000 reward for information that leads to a conviction over the arson attack is available.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.