Three people have been charged following investigations into an armed robbery at Freeman’s Waterhole in the Lake Macquarie area last week.

Shortly after 1am on Thursday 11 June 2015, two men and a woman entered a service station on Freeman’s Drive armed with a shortened firearm and a hammer and allegedly threatened the staff member demanding cash and cigarettes.

The male staff member locked himself in an office while one of the men climbed the counter and allegedly stole cash from the register. All three then ran from the store.

Police were called and an investigation was launched by detectives from Lake Macquarie culminating in the arrest and charging of three people.

About 3pm on Wednesday 16 June 2015, a 28-year-old man from Bolton Point was arrested after he was pulled over by police while driving his car. He was taken to Lake Macquarie Police Station where he was charged with robbery whilst armed.

He was refused bail and will appear at Newcastle Local Court on 26 August, 2015.

Later that afternoon, (16 June, 2015) a 27-year-old woman was arrested at premises in Toronto by detectives from Lake Macquarie. She was charged with robbery whilst armed.

She will appear at Newcastle Local Court on 26 August, 2015.

On Thursday 17 June 2015, Lake Macquarie detectives executed a search warrant at a premises in Blackhall Park where police allegedly located a shortened firearm.

Following the search of that premises, police arrested at 36-year-old man at a premises in Fassifern by Lake Macquarie detectives. He was charged with robbery whilst armed and will appear at Newcastle Local Court today (19 June 2015).