A man has been charged after allegedly threatening staff with a syringe while attempting to shoplift in Port Stephens yesterday.

Just before 7.30pm (Saturday 2 April 2016), a man attempted to leave a supermarket on Peppertree Road at Medowie with groceries that allegedly had not been paid for.

When staff members confronted the man, it’s alleged he threatened them with a syringe.

He left the store with the items; however, members of the public chased and detained the man while police were alerted.

Officers from Port Stephens Local Area Command attended and arrested the 29-year-old.

He was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he was charged with six counts of common assault, and attempted shoplifting / use weapon to avoid detention.

The Kuruah man was bail refused to appear at Maitland Bail Court today (Sunday 3 April 2016).