News crew films 'servo robbers' arrest

A Nine News crew has filmed police foiling an armed robbery at a petrol station on Sydney's north shore after the officers stopped to fill up and allegedly caught the men in the act.

The officers pulled up to the St Ives Caltex Woolworths service station last night and saw two balaclava-clad men threatening the shopkeeper with knives, Nine News reports.

The cops quickly called for back-up and around 20 police surrounded the Mona Vale Rd servo around 11pm (AEST).

A Nine News crew was among the throng of assembled officers and filmed the entire dramatic arrest after a 40-minute stand-off.

The would-be robbers released the service station attendant before giving themselves up.

Footage of the arrest shows the men leaving the petrol station with their hands in the air.

The men then lie down on the ground and are cuffed and led away.

One of the men was bitten by a police dog during the arrest and was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

A short time after the arrest police found a blue Holden Commodore parked at a nearby business, which police believe the men intended to use as a getaway vehicle.

The car has been seized by police.

The men were held overnight and questioned but charges are yet to be laid.

Source: Nine News

Author: Martin Zavan, Approving editor: Matthew Henry