Australian man 'robs petrol station with chainsaw while wearing flower pot on his head'

CCTV footage of the alleged attack (Queensland Times)

An Australian man has been arrested after he allegedly held up a local petrol station with a chainsaw while wearing a flower pot on his head.

Steven Frank Steele, 19, is accused of storming into a 7-Eleven service station in Ipswich, Queensland at 4.30am on Monday. It is alleged he threatened staff with a chainsaw, demanding they hand over money from the register.

According to the Queensland Times, police allege that he used a chainsaw to cause damage to a window before making demands for the money, but instead made away with just a soft drink. It will be said that the man wore the flower pot hat in order to keep his identity concealed.

Two terrified shop assistants, who were reportedly cleaning a coffee machine before being confronted by the teenager, managed to escape to a room out the back and call police.

A police officer noticed the suspect walking down the street after the incident had occurred and arrested him. Soon after, police found the allegedly stolen chainsaw in a nearby bush and members of the dog squad had managed to trace his presence back to the store.

He has been charged with two counts of wilful damage and one count each of armed robbery, going armed to cause fear, public nuisance and possessing suspected stolen property.

Steele appeared at Ipswich magistrates court on Monday with his lawyer and will remain in custody until his case is heard again on March 3 after there was no application made for bail.