CCTV: Knife-wielding bandit who held up United service station at South Maitland caught on camera

A chubby wannabe armed robber wore bright clothing — and a red balaclava – when he targeted a South Maitland service station in the dead of the night. See the photos.

He is the portly knife-wielding bandit who thought bright red would work on a dark night, when he decided to target a service station and its attendant.

Port Stephens-Hunter detectives are hunting the wannabe armed robber who spent only a few moments inside the United service station at South Maitland in the early hours of August 27 before running off empty-handed.

CCTV footage of a man wanted over the attempted armed robbery of the United service station on Les Darcy Drive, South Maitland on August 27. Picture: Supplied.

Police said the chubby suspect entered the Les Darcy Drive business at 1.39am before threatening the employee with the blade.

But when the console operator refused to open the tills, and the bandit failed to do so himself, he sprinted from the scene without a cent to his name.

The portly bandit making his getaway after an unsuccessful attempt at robbing the console operator at United service station on Les Darcy Drive, South Maitland on August 27. Picture: Supplied.

He is described as being about 173cm tall and overweight.

He was wearing a red cloth covering his face like a balaclava, denim chinos and a red, white and blue Tommy Hilfiger jumper.

Information should be forward to Maitland police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.