Man charged over Sydney chemist robbery

A man has been charged over a foiled armed robbery at a Sydney pharmacy where staff belted the would-be thief with walking sticks after he assaulted two people.

The man threatened staff with a sharp wooden implement at a Birrong pharmacy on Tuesday afternoon, then assaulted a female employee and punched a male customer who tried to disarm him, police say.

A 59-year-old man has been charged with numerous offences including assault with intent to commit an armed robbery with an offensive weapon and is due to face Parramatta Local Court on Friday.