A South Australian man has been charged after an alleged armed robbery at Coolalinga last night.

Officer in Charge of the Serious Crime Squad Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Chris Board said Police allege the 45-year-old used a large knife to demand cash from a petrol station console operator.

“At about 7.15pm Police allege the man drove into a service station on the Stuart Highway in a Holden Commodore where he filled his vehicle and a jerry can with fuel before entering the service station shop carrying a large esky,” Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Board said.

“The man then allegedly asked the female attendant for tobacco and, when she turned around, he went behind the counter, produced a 30 centimetre long knife from the esky and threatened her, demanding money.

“The console operator handed over an amount of cash and the man left in a vehicle.

"Although very distressed by the ordeal, the console operator provided vital information to police communications. This resulted in the Batchelor Police intercepting the males vehicle on Townend Road and the man was taken into custody.

Late this afternoon Detectives charged the man with robbery while armed with a dangerous weapon and he was remanded to appear in the Darwin Magistrates Court tomorrow 1 June 2012.

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