A 44-year-old man has been charged after allegedly holding an animal shelter worker captive and threatening her with a firearm in Cranbourne West.

Victoria Police said the 23-year-old woman had parked her car in the carpark of The Lost Dogs’ Home on Thompsons Road about 10.45pm on Monday night when she says she was approached by a man with a gun.

“It’s alleged the man walked the female staff member into the animal welfare property and tied her up before leaving,” a statement from Victoria Police said.

“The woman, who wasn’t physically injured, was able to free herself and seek help.”

Detectives from the Casey Crime Investigation Unit arrested a Langwarrin man and last night charged him with kidnapping, false imprisonment, aggravated burglary, armed robbery and firearm offences.

He was remanded to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court this morning.

The police statement said that as part of the investigation police also executed search warrants in Langwarrin and Carrum Downs last night and seized three firearms.