A 16-year-old girl has been charged with aggravated robbery after threatening a department store staff member with a knife in Woden on Wednesday afternoon.

Police arrested the teenager in a nearby car park. They say the girl became aggressive, allegedly spitting in the face of an officer and making verbal threats.

A search of  two bags in the girl’s possession revealed numerous stolen items and a knife matching the description of the one used to threaten staff in the department store.

The girl has been charged with aggravated robbery, assaulting a frontline community service provider and unlawful possession of stolen property.