Police have stopped what was likely to be an armed robbery at a licensed premise in Sydney’s south-west this morning.

About 1.20am (Saturday 4 February 2012), police from Holroyd Local Area Command were patrolling the Toongabbie area when they noticed three men acting suspiciously in the car park of a hotel on Aurelia Street.

Police approached the men, and as they did so, the men ran into a side door of the hotel.

They were pursued by police to the hotels rooftop. Police then realised the men were in possession of a shot gun and a rifle.

The men climbed down the side of the building and made good their escape.

They were last seen running down Targo Road.

Police recovered a balaclava, carving knife and shotgun from the rooftop of the hotel which will be examined by forensic officers.

Investigators from the Holroyd Local Area Command are investigating, and are urging anyone who witnessed the incident, or anyone with information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.