Police have arrested a man as they continue to investigate an armed robbery of an automobile shop in Mayfield West last year.

About 6pm, Friday 26 December 2014, a man entered an automobile store on Maitland Road, armed with a firearm.

Police have been told he allegedly threatened staff, before leaving the scene, taking cash. No one was injured during the incident.

It’s believed a motorbike was parked on grassland adjacent to Maitland Road, and a man stood with the bike, while the alleged robbery took place.

The armed man was seen to flee the scene on the motorcycle as a pillion passenger, travelling through Warabrook before crossing a railway line via an overhead walkway, into grounds of a university.

It’s believed the pillion passenger got off the bike on Vale Street, Birmingham Gardens, and ran across Sandgate Road, where he met the rider and again got onto the bike and rode from the area.

Early investigations have led police to believe the motorbike was also in the Shortland area both before and following the offence.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Local Area Command were notified and commenced investigations.

Today (Monday 16 March 2015), police arrested a 22-year-old Lambton man.

He was taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with robbery armed with dangerous weapon. He has been refused bail, to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Tuesday 17 March 2015).

As police continue their inquiries, they would like to speak to a man who is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged in his late 20s/early 30s, with a large number of tattoos on his left arm and leg.

As the alleged offence occurred on Boxing Day, it is believed there may have been a large number of witnesses in the area at the time. Any witnesses who have not yet spoken to police are urged to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers.