He allegedly held up a car wash attached to the Stockland Wendouree shopping centre with a knife at about 6.30pm, before fleeing south to central Ballarat. 

He was picked up at 7.15pm by Protective Services Officers at the Ballarat railway station. 

No one was hurt, and detectives continued to make inquiries after he was taken into custody. 

PSOs were able to identify him after police on the scene at Wendouree reviewed security footage and were able to accurately describe his clothes and build. 

Police initially said he might have been “drug affected” and he was reported as being “agitated” while being held by PSOs at the station. 

Detectives were still to determine on Tuesday night whether an armed robbery had occurred.