About 4.45pm, three people entered an automotive store on Heber St and demanded money from an employee.

One of the people was armed with a knife.

Police were told the trio took some cash before running to nearby Boston St, where they fled in a waiting vehicle.

Barwon Local Area Command police soon arrived and established a crime scene.

The surrounding area was searched and forensic examinations conducted.

Police released CCTV images of the three people late yesterday afternoon in the hope they could be identified by the public.

The first person shown in the images is described as a male with a tanned or olive complexion and about 160cm tall.

At the time of the incident, he wore a black hooded jumper, black tracksuit pants, white socks over his hands and blue material over his face.

The second person depicted in the images is described as a female with a tanned or olive complexion, thin build and also about 160cm tall.

She is shown wearing a bright blue hooded jumper and dark tracksuit pants.

The third person shown in the images is described as a female, about 160cm tall

She is shown wearing a grey hooded jumper and dark tracksuit pants.

Barwon Local Area Command crime manager Detective Inspector Gavin Rattenbury said, while the recent robberies were disturbing, local investigators were doing all they could to bring the offenders before the courts.

“Police urge anyone with information about the robbery – no matter how small or insignificant it may seem – to report it to local officers,” he said.

“It may just be the last piece of information we’re looking for.”