Maitland Police are investigating a number of incidents overnight they believe are linked to a pair of offenders.
Just after midnight, the Metro service station at Tarro was robbed by a man 6ft tall and of average build wearing a black hoodie covered with a red bandanna.
He didn't produce a weapon, but managed to get away with cigarettes and cash, and fled the scene with the help of an accomplice in a stolen Ford Focus hatchback.
The same vehicle was later found on fire outside the Malliboolah Sports Centre.
The offenders are still on the run, possibly in another stolen vehicle - a Suzuki Swift, which was reported missing not far away at about 5:30 this morning at Tanilba Bay.
Investigations are continuing.
