About 9.30 on Tuesday night, two Harrigan's Irish Pub employees had finished their shift when they were approached by a male wearing a balaclava who threatened one of the them with a knife.

The offender demanded money from the employee and a struggle then ensued as the employee fought back. A second offender, also armed with a knife, then approached the other employee and demanded money and another struggle ensued.

The third offender tried to gain entry via an access area but it was locked.

He then returned to the side of the premises where the other two offenders and employees were.

The three offenders then moved towards the side door of the premises, but the two employees managed to get to there first.

As the three offenders approached the side door, the employees threw objects at them.

The three offenders then fled in a 1995 Nissan Patrol, stolen from an address on Wingham Road, Taree on Monday night.

The car was found on Wednesday morning in scrub in the Bushland and Kanangra Drive area of Taree.

The two employees involved in the altercations were later treated for cuts and abrasions.

Police investigations are continuing led by detectives from the Manning/Great Lakes Local Area Command.