A man has been arrested less than 20 minutes after a bowling alley in Porirua was robbed.

Wellington police received a report at 9:18 this morning that North City Tenpin on Kenepuru Drive had been robbed by a man with a firearm.

The robber forced a staff member to open a safe and took a large amount of cash.

He then took the victim’s cell phone and car keys and drove away in their vehicle.

At 9:36, police located and stopped the vehicle on State Highway 58, near Moonshine Road.

The firearm and stolen items were recovered.

A man was taken into custody and is being interviewed by police.