Townsville man charged with armed robbery

An 18-year-old man has been charged with robbing two Townsville shops armed with a hammer and an axe.

Police say a man holding a hammer threatened an employee at an Indian restaurant on Ross River Road in Aitkenvale about 6.20pm on Thursday before fleeing with cash.

On Friday morning the same man, this time armed with an axe, allegedly confronted a worker at a Ross River Road pet store and again fled with money.

Police have charged the teenager with two counts each of armed robbery and entering with intent to commit an indictable offence. He's due to face Townsville Magistrates Court on Saturday.