The attendant fled to a back room after a man threatened him with a screwdriver. The alleged robber took off with cigarettes and $40 cash.

A 23-year-old man has been charged after an aggravated robbery at a Christchurch service station.

The attendant at the Z station on Main South Rd, Islington, fled to a safe room after a man demanded cash and cigarettes and threatened him with a screwdriver about 10.50pm on Wednesday, an employee said.

He pulled up to the pump, filled his white ute with petrol, waited to be buzzed in through the locked front doors, then approached the counter.

Z SERVICE STATION Security footage from the Z in Islington, Christchurch, on Saturday night.

He allegedly demanded the attendant empty the till and threatened him with a large screwdriver he pulled from his jacket pocket.

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The male attendant, alone in the store, ran into a safe room and locked the door as the alleged offender climbed behind the counter and stole five packets of tobacco and $40 cash - the maximum kept in the store overnight.

Z SERVICE STATION The man filled his car before waiting to be allowed in through the locked door.

A statement from police said an investigation and subsequent search warrant led to the man being arrested and charged with aggravated robbery and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.

Z communications manager Jonathan Hill said the terrified employee stayed hidden until the man drove away. He was distressed and shaken up, but not injured.

"This is a really serious robbery, it was absolutely traumatic for the guy behind the counter doing his best to earn an honest living," Hill said.

The store was cordoned off and closed for several hours after the robbery while police got fingerprints from the scene.

He will appear in the Christchurch District Court charged with aggravated robbery and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle on Friday.