Yates, 38, appeared in Albury Local Court and pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated robbery, with a charge of robbery armed with an offensive weapon withdrawn by Director of Public Prosecutions representative Andrew Hanshaw.

Magistrate Tony Murray ordered a pre-sentence report and adjourned sentencing to the District Court sittings in Albury starting on April 7.

Yates lay in wait hidden in bushes as the cafe owner went to her vehicle in a Corowa car park about 6.05pm on May 6 last year.

He had a hood over his head and grabbed a bag the woman was holding and said: “Give me your bag, give me your money.”

Yates dragged the woman away from her car and she fell to the ground, injuring herself.

He escaped along an alley and a witness later saw a maroon Commodore being driven away, but did not see Yates get in the car.

Yates was identified by forensic evidence and detectives applied for an interstate search warrant which was executed about 10.20am on May 14 at a Wahgunyah house.

The clothing being worn by Yates on the night was identified to police by him.

He made admissions about committing the offence, which were recorded, and Yates was taken to court at Wodonga for an extradition to Albury.

Later Yates was interviewed by detectives and admitted his involvement along with providing a DNA sample.

Yates remains in custody pending sentencing with bail refused since he first appeared at court.