Police are investigating after a Chevron Island restaurant was robbed earlier this evening by a man armed with a syringe.

Around 7pm a man entered the Thomas Drive restaurant and threatened a woman behind the counter, demanding money.

A male employee came to the woman’s assistance at which time the man reached across the counter and took an amount of money from the til.

A struggle ensued between the male employee and the armed man with the employee being punched in the face.

The man then ran from the restaurant and got into a silver commodore on Barranbali Street. The vehicle was last seen turning onto Mawarra Street.

The man is described as being of Caucasian appearance and of a solid build. He was wearing a dark coloured baseball cap, a grey jumper and dark long pants.

The male employee, a 38-year-old man, received minor facial injuries.

The woman, 31, was not physically injured.