Local CIB and Operation Counteract Detectives will be investigating the link between two robberies overnight where the suspect used an axe to rob a northern suburbs supermarket and hotel.

Just before 9pm, a man wearing a ski mask and armed with a small axe robbed a supermarket on Midway Road Elizabeth East stealing money from the till and also threatening a customer and stealing her handbag.

Then just before 2am, a man armed with a small axe and wearing a black hooded top, forced his way into the Somerset Hotel on Bridge Road at Para Hills, threatened staff and demanded cash.

Just before leaving he also threatened a female patron in the gaming room and stole her handbag.

The suspect ran from the hotel into nearby side street where it’s believed a black Commodore was waiting for the suspect.

There were no injuries in either robbery and police will be looking at security vision from both incidents to determine if the robberies are linked.