A 30-year-old woman was walking along Crawford Street when she was approached by the man and forced into a nearby laneway at knifepoint around 8.35pm on Thursday.

The armed man, aged in his late 20s, took the woman’s mobile phone before leaving the scene on foot.

Less than two hours later, at 10.20pm, a 20-year-old man was walking along Crawford Street when he too was approached by a knife wielding man.

He forced the 20-year-old to a nearby park, where he made the younger man empty his pockets and hand over a number of items before leaving on foot.

Police from the Monaro Local Area Command were notified and are examining the links between the two.

In both cases, the armed man is described as being Caucasian in appearance, approximately 180cm tall with a slim build. He had stubble and was wearing a dark hooded-jacket and a black beanie in both cases.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/.

Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence.