Melbourne man held over rape and imprisonment

A man has been remanded in custody following an alleged sexual assault and series of armed robberies in Melbourne's inner north.

Abdirizak Hashi faced an out of sessions court hearing on last night, over a sexual assault in Carlton that morning.

Police say the 29-year-old from Fitzroy has been charged with a string of offences including rape, indecent assault, false imprisonment and armed robbery.

The alleged armed robberies happened at a service station, hotel and supermarket around Northcote and Fitzroy around noon yesterday.

Hashi is due to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court this morning.