Service station employee threatened with samurai sword and baseball bat in Sandgate

An investigation is underway following an armed robbery at a service station near Newcastle overnight.

About 1.45am (Friday 22 May 2020), emergency services were called to a service station on Maitland Road, Sandgate, after reports of an armed robbery.

Police have been told two unknown men entered the station and approached the counter, threatening the employee – a 24-year-old man – with a samurai sword and baseball bat, while demanding money.

The men stole cash, before fleeing the scene on foot towards Mangrove Road.

The employee was not physically injured.

Officers from Newcastle City Police District established a crime scene, which was examined by specialist forensic police.

As inquiries continue, anyone who may have dashcam vision or CCTV from the surrounding area, or who may have noticed suspicious activity, are urged to contact detectives at Newcastle Police Station on (02) 4929 0999.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.

/Public Release. View in full here.