Quick work by police has seen a 30-year-old man arrested over an alleged armed robbery at Shortland.
Police say the man entered the Metro Service Station on Sandgate Road at about 11.40 last night and threatened the male console operator with a knife.
It's alleged he grabbed a handful of cash and cigarettes before running off.
A customer and the console operator gave chase and police were quickly on scene where they surrounded the alleged offender nearby.
He's been refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today been charged with aggravated robbery and resisting police.
EARLIER:
A service station worker has been threatened during an armed robbery at Shortland.
A man entered the Metro outlet on Sandgate Road at about 11.45pm on Monday and allegedly jumped the counter and demanded the male attendant hand over cash.
It's alleged the man then went to the staff room before telling the attendant he had a knife and would assault him if he didn't comply with his demand.
The worker opened the cash register and it's understood the bandit took about $500 and two packets of cigarettes before running off.
Police are reviewing CCTV footage of the incident.
