Ballarat Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for witnesses following an attempted armed robbery in Ballarat earlier this morning.
The incident occurred on Latrobe Street when the victim, a 30-year-old Ballarat man, was walking on Latrobe Street towards Trekardo Park when he was approached by another man about 2am.
The man demanded the victim hand over his mobile phone which he had been carrying in his hand.
The victim refused and the man pulled a knife from his pocket repeating his demand for the phone.
An altercation then took place between the two men with the victim managing to punch the robber in the nose.
The man dropped the knife and the victim ran back to his car he had left parked further away on Latrobe Street,
The offender is perceived to be Caucasian in appearance, 178cms tall with a thin face and possibly a facial injury.
He was wearing grey tracksuit pants, a dark-blue hoodie with two front pockets and white sneakers.
Investigators are appealing for anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at