Detectives from the General Crime Section are seeking public assistance after an attempted armed robbery at a petrol station in Winnellie on Monday night.

Detective A/Sergeant Brendan Lindner said an unknown male offender entered the United Service Station on the corner of Hook Road and the Stuart Highway at 10:15 pm.

“The offender was armed with a hatchet or similar when he approached a staff member at the counter and demanded money.

“The staff member refused the offender’s demands and ran into a room. The offender then fled the scene through the front door and ran to the rear of the petrol station.

“The offender is described as being male and of a medium build. He was wearing dark board shorts, white gloves and a sandy brown coloured hoodie with a white shirt underneath. The offender was also wearing a white mask and sun glasses to cover his face at the time of the attempted robbery.  We believe he may have escaped as a passenger in a dark coloured sedan waiting at the rear of the petrol station,” said Detective A/Sergeant Lindner.

Police urge anyone that may recognise the offender who appears in the CCTV footage, or who may have seen anyone in a dark blue sedan in the Winnellie area at the time of the attempted robbery to contact them on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.