Offenders armed with a machete have targeted six shops and petrol stations across southeastern suburbs in just about seven hours yesterday, including two in Somerville.
Police allege five offenders entered a petrol station on Frankston-Flinders Road in Somerville about 3.50pm before staff members challenged them, leaving them to flee empty handed.
However, the same crew entered another service station on Frankston-Flinders Road, believed to be a Shell, a short time later, where they allegedly stole cash and cigarettes.
A police spokesperson said a dark coloured SUV was allegedly used in a petrol drive off at a service station in Wonga Park about 1pm.
“The vehicle was then used in armed robberies and attempted armed robberies, where a group of offenders were armed with a machete,” the spokesperson said.
The first incident occurred when a staff member was allegedly threatened at a Wonga Park supermarket with cash and cigarettes being stolen about 1.20pm.
About 40 minutes later, police allege offenders stole a cash register from a store Thames Promenade in Chelsea Heights.
A man was assaulted when he tried to challenge them, police said.
A few hours later police allege offenders entered a store in Cranbourne West just before 5pm where they allegedly tried to steal cash but were unsuccessful.
A supermarket in Wantirna South was also hit about 7pm where cash, cigarettes and alcohol were allegedly stolen during an armed robbery, the police spokesperson said.
Offenders also entered a store in Glen Waverley where they allegedly stole cash about 7.10pm.
Southern Metro Regional Crime Squad detectives are investigating but no arrests have been made at this stage.
A witness posted on social media saying they had pulled into a petrol station in Somerville about 3.45pm when they saw a Mazda CX5 parked in front of the shop doors.
“There was a person wearing a balaclava sitting in the driver’s seat,” the witness wrote, while another “stood in the doorway of the store holding a weapon, also masked”.
The witness said there were also “two if not three people behind the counter grabbing whatever they could get”.
“The getaway driver and masked person in the doorway screamed at me to get the f**** out of here,” they wrote, adding they were “absolutely shaken” and immediately drove away.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
