An armed motorbike rider targeted a Wodonga service station before committing the same crime in Lavington.
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Police on Tuesday confirmed they were investigating an armed robbery at the Wodonga business early Saturday morning.
The United petrol station on McKoy Street was targeted by a gunman with a black jacket and silver and black motorbike helmet about 4.15am.
Security camera footage shows the man behind the counter of the service station with a shortened gun, gesturing to a staff member.
He stole cash and fled on the motorbike.
A gun was again produced and cash and cigarettes taken.
The rider was last seen heading back towards Albury.
Wodonga detectives describe the man as 185 to 195 centimetres tall.
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Albury Detective Chief inspector Mick Stoltenberg said it was very concerning behaviour which appeared to involved a sawn-off rifle, and noted the incidents in both states were "strikingly similar".
"Being a victim of any sort of crime is bad enough as it is, let alone turning around, 4.40am in the morning, and you've got some person standing there with a firearm and pointing it in your direction, I daresay it's been a really traumatic experience for that attendant," he said.
"You don't take a knife to a gunfight is the best way to put it, so if someone takes a gun with them, they're taking it either with the intention of intimidation or they're taking it with the intention of using it.
"There's no place for that, we've got no tolerance for it and as a community, we need to stand up and make sure we address this, and address it very quickly."
The man is still at large.
The Albury detective said officers were working closing with Wodonga investigators.
"We're sharing a lot of information with each other and this is something that we're both extremely eager to ensure that we get wrapped up and solved as soon as possible," he said.
Detective Chief Inspector Stoltenberg said such offending was usually opportunistic, with businesses urged to ensure they have good security to reduce the risk they would be targeted.
He urged people to check their CCTV cameras to see if they had video of the man, who was on a dark motorbike, and to pass details on to police.
"By passing it on, it could prevent you or one of your loved ones becoming the next victim of this person," he said.
Contact Albury police on (02) 6023 9299, Wodonga police on (02) 6049 2600 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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