Lake Illawarra police duty officer Inspector Andrew Koutsoufis said the 24-year-old, from Baradine in north-western NSW, was arrested about 4pm.

‘‘He was wanted for three robberies that occurred in Warilla in February,’’ Inspector Koutsoufis said.

The man was also allegedly involved in ‘‘a number of robberies’’ in the Coonabarabran area, Insp Koutsoufis said.

Inspector Ian Youman, of Mudgee police, told the Mercury the man had been living in Warilla at the time of the February robberies. He was apprehended in Baradine, around 45 minutes from Coonabarabran, after police received information about his whereabouts.

"Police attended the address and he ran from a rear door, then saw police and ran back into the house, where he was apprehended," Insp Youman said.

Allegedly located on the 24-year-old was a small plastic container containing resealable bags of white powder, which police will allege to be the drug ice.

Insp Youman said the man will face charges relating to robberies of a convenience store and a hair salon in Warilla in early February, as well as a robbery of a Warrawong video store in March.

A knife was used in the two Warilla robberies on February 10 and 11, while a stun gun was produced during the March 11 incident at Warrawong.

The man is also alleged to have set fire to a fishing vessel at Raymond Terrace in October 2014, as well as having three outstanding warrants for his arrest over matters including aggravated break and enter.

He was refused bail and will appear in Dubbo Local Court on Thursday.