Police on the hunt for axe-wielding man after vicious attack on ATM user in Melbourne

A thug who allegedly swung an axe at an innocent man withdrawing cash from a city ATM is being hunted by police. See the footage.

A thug who allegedly swung an axe at an innocent man withdrawing cash from a city ATM is being hunted by police.

Detectives on Wednesday released fresh footage of the man accused of the brazen attempted armed robbery at Southbank on November 30.

The CCTV shows the offender waiting next to the victim as he withdrew cash before he tried to snatch it out of his hands.

The offender then became aggressive and pulled an axe from his pocket or pants and launched his vicious assault.

The incident occurred at Southbank in Melbourne on November 30. Picture: Supplied

The offender was seen swinging the axe at the victim’s upper body — twice — before the Werribee man, 33, managed to escape.

He is then accused of threatening a worker with a hammer in Hoppers Crossing the following day.

Police believe the same man was offered assistance inside a Heaths Rd store on December 1 before he produced the weapon.

He is accused of threatening the staff member, an Aintree man, 47, before stealing items and fleeing the scene.

He was not physically injured.

The offender is a Caucasian man, aged in his 30s with a medium build and short dark beard.