A KNIFE-wielding bandit has fled with cash and cigarettes after holding up a Cobram service station.
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The balaclava-clad man entered the Caltex on the corner of Station Street and the Murray Valley Highway about 10.30pm on Sunday.
He demanded money from the female staff member, who handed over cash and cigarettes.
He ran to a white Ford Falcon station wagon, which left Station Street in a north easterly direction.
Police said the car may have continued on Station Street or turned east onto Oak Street.
The incident follows the death of 20-year-old Hayden Atkinson-Thring, who was allegedly stabbed outside the service station in January.
There was a similar robbery in August 2012 when a man in a balaclava, armed with a knife, entered the same service station.
He left empty handed after the store attendant attacked the man with a wooden baton.
Detective Senior Constable Jason Williams said police did not want to speculate over possible links between the two robberies.
“When a person arms themselves to commit crime, the outcomes can be dire,” he said.
“And fortunately, on this occasion, there were no such repercussions.
“But when knives are involved, things can always go tragically wrong.
“I understand the attendant is fine, but she was shaken after the incident.”
Police were yesterday reviewing security footage that captured the robbery inside the service station and the getaway car leaving the premises.
Footage from a nearby business showed a distinctive amplifier or subwoofer with lights in the back of the Ford station wagon, which was a 2005 or 2006 model Falcon.
Sen-Constable Williams said the footage showed a second person.
“The man is 155 to 160 centimetres tall, dressed in dark clothing with a hooded top over the balaclava,” Detective Sen-Constable Williams said.
Anyone with information should phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.