Police are looking for a man who robbed a Caltex service station in Joondalup just before midnight last night.

The man allegedly threatened staff with a gun and took money and cigarettes before fleeing the building.

Staff at the service station would not comment on the robbery this morning but the owner of neighbouring shop Ultra Tune said he heard about the incident this morning.

“This is definitely more of an isolated incident. It’s a busy area and I wouldn’t say that it happens very often,” Dave Armstrong said.

Joondalup resident Jackie Lymn said she was “surprised” by the armed robbery.

“[The Caltex] is quite near other businesses, so yes I’m surprised,” Ms Lymn said.

“I guess they are a target because they are open later at night, there’s not going to be so many people there any more.

“In the daylight hours, being as busy as it is, Lakeside is a great location, but at nights obviously there could be a risk.”

But Joondalup resident Debbie Newman said there had been a few problems around the area recently.

“It’s not that uncommon and you just have to be careful,” she said.

Police are searching for a man described as being between 163cm and 173cm tall, with a slim-to-medium build. He was wearing a dark-coloured jacket.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.