Police have charged a 17-year-old man following the alleged armed robbery of a service station at Helensvale this evening.

It will be alleged around 8pm a man entered the Siganto Drive business before producing a replica firearm and demanding the employee hand over cash from the till.

The attendant complied with his demands and the man left the store with a sum of cash.

It will further be alleged the man returned to the store and threw merchandise at the staff member and damaged payment equipment at the counter.

Police arrested the man at the scene a short time later.

A 17-year-old Helensvale man was charged with one count each of armed robbery, wilful damage and common assault.

He will appear in the Southport Magistrates Court tomorrow.