Man, 39, arrested for holding up tobacconist with meat cleaver

A man who held up a smoke shop by threatening staff with a meat cleaver has been arrested by an off-duty cop who recognised his face from the CCTV footage.

An off-duty police officer has arrested an alleged armed robber

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An off-duty cop walking down the street in western Sydney has recognised an alleged armed robber.

The police officer was walking on Newman St in Merrylands when he caught a glimpse of the man wanted for the armed robbery of a tobacconist in Pendle Hill on Tuesday.

Just after 5pm on Tuesday, officers from Cumberland police area command were called to the tobacconist on Pendle Way, Pendle Hill, following reports of an armed robbery.

Police will allege a man entered the shop armed with a meat cleaver and demanded money and cigarettes from the male employee, before fleeing the scene on foot. No injuries were reported.

A crime scene was established and an investigation into the incident commenced.

About 5pm on Wednesday the off-duty constable from Cumberland was walking in Merrylands, when he recognised a man from CCTV of the armed robbery.

He contacted colleagues and a short time later, the 39-year-old alleged robber was arrested and taken to Granville police station.

A search warrant was executed at a house on Chetwynd Rd, Merrylands, where a number of clothing items were located and seized.

The man was charged with robbery armed with offensive weapon and refused bail to appear before Fairfield Court on Thursday.