Police have charged a man following investigations into two armed robberies in the Central Hunter area last month.

The first robbery occurred at a service station on the Pacific Highway, Heatherbrae, about 9.20pm on Tuesday June 7 2016.

A man allegedly armed with a syringe containing what appeared to be blood, entered the store and threatened the attendant while demanding money.

The man left the store with cash.

The second incident occurred about an hour later, at a service station on the New England Highway.

It’s alleged a man matching the same description entered the service station armed with a syringe and demanded cash from the store attendant.

He left the premises with cash and cigarettes.

Following investigations by police from Newcastle Local Area Command, an 18-year-old man was arrested yesterday afternoon (Monday 4 July 2016) and taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with two counts of robbery armed with offensive weapon.

He was refused bail and will appear at Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday 13 July, 2016.

Investigations regarding a co-offender continue.