Three men are due to appear in Newcastle Local Court today charged with the attempted armed robbery of a bank in Newcastle yesterday.

It was about 4.15pm (Friday 17 February 2012), when two men entered the bank on Kokera Street, Wallsend, with their faces allegedly concealed and armed with firearms.

Up to 20 employees and customers – who were in the bank at the time – were allegedly threatened with the weapons and ordered to get on the ground.

The armed men allegedly threatened the bank manager and demanded cash before the men then dragged the two customers and forced them to the ground.

They fled the scene empty-handed in a red Toyota, and police will further allege the offenders met up with a third man in a nearby street and set the Toyota alight. They then left in a silver Commodore.

A short time later, officers attached to Newcastle City Local Area Command stopped the car on Wallarah Road, New Lambton, and arrested two men.

A third man had left the car and was located hiding in a nearby garden.

A 31-year-old man was taken to Newcastle Police Station, while his alleged accomplices, aged 38 and 56, were taken to Waratah Police Station. All were charged with attempted robbery while armed. The younger man was also charged with a number of robbery offences. All were bail refused to attend court today.

Officers attached to Strike Force Finite are continuing to investigate this incident and other similar events.

 Two bank customers were taken to Newcastle Hospital for treatment to minor injuries sustained during the incident.