A man has been arrested and charged after an armed robbery in the Hunter region on Monday.

About 10.30pm (Monday 19 June 2017), a stolen vehicle stopped on Armidale Street, Abermain, and two men got out.

The men, armed with a shortened firearm and sledge hammer, forced their way into a bowling club and approached a female employee.

One of the men tied the woman’s hands and feet with duct tape.

The men ransacked the club and later fled in the vehicle taking cash.

Officers attached to Central Hunter attended and untied the woman.

A crime scene was established and forensically examined by specialist officers.

Shortly after, the stolen vehicle was located burnt out in a nearby street.

Police from State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad and Central Hunter detectives formed Strike Force Bleechmore to investigate the incident.

About 5.10pm yesterday (Tuesday 20 June 2017), investigators stopped a vehicle on Victory Parade, Jesmond, and arrested a 35-year-old man who was a passenger in the vehicle.

He was taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with armed robbery, damage property by fire, larceny, and drive while disqualified.

The larceny charge relates to a stealing incident at a hardware store at Taylors Beach on Sunday 11 June 2017.

The man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Wednesday 21 June 2017).

Investigations into the incident continue.