Hunt for alleged armed robber

Police are appealing for witnesses to an alleged armed robbery that occurred in Morwell on Sunday morning.

Latrobe Criminal Investigation Unit reported a 19 year-old Morwell man was walking home following a trip to a local supermarket about 9am.

Police said the alleged offender followed the man from Tarwin Street, Morwell through the railway station underpass to the Latrobe Road roundabout.

The man – who wished to remain anonymous – said it was there he dropped his groceries and stood up to be confronted by a man with a knife who demanded he hand over his backpack and possessions.

CIU Detective Sergeant Peter Allan said the alleged offender appeared to be in his early 20s and about 178 centimetres tall.

At the time of the incident he was wearing a black hoodie, grey tracksuit pants and wrap-around sunglasses.

He was last seen on Latrobe Road running in the vicinity of Helen and Buckley streets.

“It appears opportunistic and a completely random attack,” Det Sgt Allan said.

The 19 year-old was uninjured during the incident.

“I’m trying to not let it affect me too much, if I’m worried, that’s when he’s won,” he said.

Police are hoping to speak to possible witnesses who were at the railway station just prior to the incident.

They are also hoping to recover the stolen backpack, which is black in colour.

“We are appealing for any person who was around the station and may have seen something to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” Det Sgt Allan said.