Detectives have arrested and charged three men over alleged armed robberies and a kidnapping in Sydney recently.

About 6pm on Tuesday 6 November 2012, two men entered a licensed premise on Nirranda Street, Concord West, armed with a machete and knife.

The pair allegedly threatened staff and demanded money before a female employee handed over a sum of cash. The offenders fled and police were alerted.

Strike Force Nicobar – comprising officers from the Metropolitan Robbery Unit – was formed to investigate the robbery.

Just after 3.30pm yesterday (Thursday 6 December 2012), police responded to reports of an armed robbery at a newsagency on Gibson Avenue, Padstow.

Police from Bankstown Local Area Command attended and were told two men threatened the business owners, husband and wife, with a knife and spanner.

One of the men allegedly pushed the female owner before attempting to open the till; however, he was unsuccessful. They fled empty-handed in a silver Toyota Camry that was being driven by a third man.

Through initial investigations detectives believed both robberies were linked and the men were allegedly involved in a kidnapping and armed robbery in Macquarie Fields on Wednesday (5 December 2012).

Following inquiries, strike force detectives executed simultaneous search warrants on homes in Macquarie Fields yesterday afternoon.

Detectives located and seized a firearm, replica firearm, ammunition and a number of other items.

Following the warrants three men were arrested and taken to Macquarie Fields Police Station where they were subsequently charged.

A 28-year-old man was charged with robbery whilst armed with offensive weapon; aggravated robbery; robbery in company; take and detain person.

A 20-year-old man was charged with robbery in company; and robbery whilst armed with offensive weapon.

A 32-year-old man was charged with robbery in company.

All three were bail refused to appear before Campbelltown Local Court today (Friday 7 December 2012.