A 61-year-old employee of the Australian Turf Club (ATC) has been arrested and charged with stealing $22,000 from a safe at Royal Randwick Racecourse.
Incident Details
Officers from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command responded to reports of a theft at a venue on Alison Road, Randwick, around 12pm on April 28, 2026. Following investigations, police arrested Charles Weston Jones, a staff member at the scene, and seized $22,000 in cash.
NSW Police stated: ‘Following inquiries, police arrested a 61-year-old male employee at the scene, seizing $22,000 cash. He was taken to Maroubra Police Station where he was charged with steal property as clerk/servant over $15,000.’
Club officials uncovered the theft through CCTV footage near the safe, which captured Jones allegedly stuffing cash into a bag. The incident formed part of a broader internal probe into missing funds and unauthorized removal of items worth thousands of dollars from the premises.
Club Investigation and Staff Changes
The ATC’s internal review, led by chief executive Steve McMahon, prompted the departure of around 12 staff members amid concerns over missing assets.
McMahon defended the club’s culture, stating: ‘The ATC has in recent months proactively looked into many corners of the business to eliminate instances of unacceptable behaviours. Many of these issues date back several years and have shed light on a previous culture, which we are fully determined to change.’
He added: ‘The overwhelming majority of staff are professional, hard-working and do the right thing, but we must remove the small number of people doing the wrong thing. The employees who have left the ATC represent less than one per cent of our entire workforce, who maintain high standards and a pride in working for the club and its members.’
McMahon noted that such incidents occur in large venues but affirmed the club’s commitment to addressing them: ‘Whilst incidents like these are not uncommon in large venues and sporting stadiums, the ATC will continue to stamp out the few bad eggs for a stronger and healthier business.’
Legal Proceedings
The ATC has initiated action in the NSW Supreme Court to freeze Jones’ bank account. Granted conditional bail, Jones is scheduled to appear in Waverley Local Court on May 27.
