A black pistol was pulled on a man on Stanley Street in Albury about 5am on Monday, with the offender demanding cash.  

The 55-year-old victim, who had only just gotten out of his car, threw his backpack at the armed man before running away.

The victim attended the police station a short time later to report the incident.

Detective Inspector Winston Woodward said police were urgently seeking witnesses or anyone with information.

The wanted man is described as 180 centimetres tall with a thin to medium athletic build.

He had broad shoulders and was wearing dark tracksuit pants and a hoodie.

“At this time we’re still looking for the stolen backpack,” he said,.

“If anyone has information, they should contact detectives or Crime Stoppers.”

It followed an armed robbery attempt at Wangaratta a few hours earlier.

The offender entered The Old Town and Country Tavern about 10pm Sunday armed with a machete or knife and a plastic bag.  

He had his face covered and shouted out for cash to be taken from the register, but there was no-one at the machine.

The offender left empty handed and police are appealing for information to track him down.

Detective Senior Constable Jason Brown said it was a concerning incident.

“There were people playing the pokies when it happened and he had to walk past a few of them,” he said.

“There were four or five people inside the venue.

“It is concerning.

“It’s out of character for the area.”

Detective Senior Constable Brown said he struggled to remember the last time Wangaratta had had an armed robbery.

He said the timing meant there had been few people inside the Greta Road property. 

“At 10pm, it wasn’t too far off closing time,” he said.

“He had his head covered with something, went to the counter and demanded cash, but the staff were in another part of the bar.

“It was a meat cleaver type of weapon and he had a plastic bag.”

Albury police can be contacted on (02) 6023 9299. 

Wangaratta police be reached on (03) 5723 0888. 

Crime Stoppers is on 1800 333 000.