Lake Illawarra police inspector Andrew Koutsoufis said the man entered the Stone Wall Cafe on Manning Street about 6.30am, threatened a female staff member and escaped with “an amount of property”.

Police said the man took two drinks from the fridge after being told there was no cash on the premises. 

The victim obtained a partial number plate of the alleged offender's vehicle. 

Witnesses told police the man left in a vehicle, and police then tracked that vehicle to near Moss Vale.

Police had received calls regarding a vehicle driving in a dangerous manner between Jamberoo and Albion Park.

The man was taken into custody at Moss Vale train station after his vehicle broke down.

He was taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station. 

Late on Monday, the man was assisting police with their inquiries into the alleged armed robbery, as well as two other thefts; one from a Kiama Thai restaurant and another from a different Kiama café.

His age and usual place of residence are yet to be confirmed. 

The alleged offender was charged with aggravated break, enter and steal; demand money with menaces; dangerous driving; failure to exchange particulars and driving while disqualified. 

He was bail refused to appear in Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday.