Port Fairy police Sergeant Dave Walkley said police were in the process of driving back from Warrnambool late Thursday afternoon when they spotted a 2019 blue Holden Colorado dual cab utility parked at the stall on the Princes Highway at Illowa.

He said officers had been on the lookout for a similar vehicle after information was passed on from members of the public that the driver had been acting suspiciously.

Sergeant Walkley said he parked behind the Colorado and officers got out of their police divisional van.

He said there was no one in the Colorado but he walked around the three sheds and saw a large male offender with a large knife jammed in a money tin.

"I watched him for about 15 seconds and he was a bit startled when he turned around," he said.

"The man was arrested, interviewed, charged and bailed to appear in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court on a later date."

The man was charged with attempted theft, theft of cash from a vehicle at Southern Cross in September and weapons offences.

"He was literally caught with his hand in the cookie jar," Sergeant Walkley said.

"He was observed by police attempting to remove cash from a cash tin with a large knife."

Sergeant Walkley requested anyone who had seen the blue Colorado and the driver acting suspiciously to contact the Port Fairy police station on 5568 1007 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The 2019 dual cab utility has a polished alloy bull bar and roll bar.

"We have received a number of reports, but are seeking additional information from the public," he said.

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