Armidale detectives have been hunting an intruder who used a knife to slash a 48-year-old man’s neck during a break-and-enter in the early hours of Monday.

After a public appeal for help, investigators arrested an Armidale man in Bracken St – just a few blocks from the alleged offence – about 3.45pm on Wednesday.

“Armidale detectives were investigating a home invasion earlier this week in Armidale and arrested a 27-year-old man who was wanted for a breach of bail,” a NSW Police spokesperson told The Leader.

“He was taken to Armidale Police Station where he assisted police with their inquiries.

“Following investigations, the 27-year-old man was charged with special aggravated break-and-enter in connection to a home invasion in Kentucky St, Armidale, on November 21.”

The man was still in custody late on Thursday night.

He is expected to appear in Armidale Local Court on Thursday.

Police have been told a 67-year-old man was asleep in his Kentucky St home on Monday when he was woken by a man armed with a knife in his bedroom about 1am.

He called out and a 48-year-old man, who was in another room, came to his aid.

Police have been told the younger man challenged the intruder who then allegedly threatened and slashed the 48-year-old, causing a laceration to his neck.

The intruder ran from the scene and police were alerted.

The alleged victim was taken to Armidale hospital for treatment but was released the same day.