Makeshift flame-thrower used in hold-up

A man used an aerosol can as a makeshift flame-thrower during an attempted hold-up at a convenience store in inner Melbourne.

Senior Constable Travis Henson from the Embona Armed Robbery Taskforce said it was the first time he had ever heard of a such an incident.

"The offender has pointed the flame thrower at the victim at his face multiple times and the offender is lucky he didn't sustain serious facial injuries or burns from the flame-thrower," Senior Constable Henson said.

When he couldn't get behind the counter of the store in Smith Street, Collingwood, the man, described as African, left the store with a stolen box of headache tablets and got away in a car that was later located in Racecourse Road in Flemington.

"This is the first time I've heard of a hold-up of this type," Senior Constable Henson said.

"It looked like he had done it before and knew the potential of lighting a flammable can."

Police are appealing for assistance in an effort to identify the man in the incident that happened last Saturday.

- AAP