Ararat Criminal Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for information following an attempted armed robbery in Stawell this month.

Investigators have been told a man armed with a knife walked into a milk bar on Main Street around 8.05pm on Thursday, 18 June.

The man waved the knife at the owner of the shop and demanded he open the till and hand over cash.

The owner retreated to the rear of the shop and returned with his own knife, scaring the offender off.

He ran out the front door of the shop and was last seen running south-west along Main Street.

The owner’s wife and their eight-month-old daughter were in the residence of the shop at the time.

Detectives have released images and CCTV footage of a man they believe can assist with their enquiries.

The man is perceived to be of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall, in his early 20’s with a thin build.

He was wearing what appeared to be a light-coloured hoodie turned inside out, with the hood pulled over his face only showing his eyes, light-coloured pants with a black belt and white shoes.