UPDATE:
Police have charged a 42-year-old man with robbery; assault with intent to take or drive motor vehicle; assault with intent to rob and robbery armed with offensive weapon.
He's been refused bail and will face Newcastle Local Court tomorrow.
EARLIER:
A man has been tasered at Tighes Hill following multiple alleged attempted robberies and carjackings today.
Just before 8:30am, Newcastle Police responded to reports of an armed hold-up of a service station on Maitland Road, Tighes Hill, where they were informed a man had entered demanding cigarettes and a lighter.
The service station employee complied and the alleged offender then fled to Elizabeth Street.
It's there he allegedly approached a woman and attempted to steal her car, without success.
The man in his 40s then targeted a taxi; flagging down the vehicle before attempting to rob the driver and steal the car.
The frightened taxi driver ran into a nearby hardware store on Elizabeth Street, but was followed by the alleged assailant, who then took a Stanley knife from the counter and tried to rob two staff members inside.
Police found the man, deployed a taser and secured the knife he was carrying.
He was taken to the John Hunter Hospital for treatment of an existing medical condition, where he remains under police guard.
Investigations are continuing.
