WES HOSKING
September 7, 2017
Herald Sun
POLICE battling a wave of armed robberies across Melbourne have increased their patrols around businesses regarded as “soft targets”.
In the year to March, shops were the target of 450 armed robberies statewide.
Convenience stores, milk bars and service stations have all fallen victim. In some cases, robbers have struck targets 40km apart.
Officers across Victoria Police’s regional commands are sharing information in an effort to identify the major offenders.
Crime Stoppers Victoria has released details of several unsolved holdups in the hope of finding the criminals responsible.
A CCTV image from a terrifying raid on a Dandenong milk bar in David St on May 4. Picture: Crime Stoppers
Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Hatt, of the Southern Metro Crime Team, said some robbers struck stores in succession — on occasions, raiding three or four outlets.
Det. Sen-Sgt Hatt told the Herald Sun: “Offending is occurring across Melbourne and it’s important that all police work together, which is what we’re doing.
“Victoria Police has been very responsive.
“There have been crime teams established dedicated to investigating cross-regional offending.
“We’re sharing intelligence and ensuring recidivist offenders are targeted accordingly.”
According to Crime Statistics Agency data, Greater Dandenong, Monash, Casey, Brimbank and Hume are armed robbery hot spots.
Retail armed robberies
Source: Crime Statistics Agency
Armed robbery hauls often included cigarettes, which some bandits sold on to black market distributors, Det. Sen-Sgt Hatt said.
Fazilat Kalim, 25, knows the frightening ordeal of being an armed robbery victim all too well.
She and a cousin were closing her father’s milk bar in David St, Dandenong, on the night of May 4 when two masked bandits, armed with a metal pole and kitchen knife, stormed in.
The bandits, who are yet to be caught, had earlier struck at a Wheelers Hill pizza shop, and went on to raid a Rowville service station.
Milk bar owner Udman Abbas and daughter
Fazilat Kalim outside their family store, which masked bandits stormed armed with a metal pole and kitchen knife. Picture: Ian Currie
Ms Kalim hid out the back and phoned police. Meanwhile, the robbers swung their weapons at her cousin, 26.
“I was freaking out,’’ Ms Kalim said.
“I called the police and just kept repeating: ‘Police, police, police.’
“I yelled: ‘They are on their way!’ Next minute, the guys were over the counter and they were out.
“The police were here in about three minutes.
“I have never been that scared.”
Police are seeking information about other unsolved holdups across Melbourne suburbs, including:
WHEELERS HILL — DANDENONG — ROWVILLE
Armed Robbers wanted after crime spree in three Melbourne suburbs0:28
WANTED: Two robbers struck a Dandenong milk bar on May 4 — stealing cigarette lighters and tobacco pouches in a crime spree spanning three suburbs. Source: Crime Stoppers
- September 4th 2017
- 4 days ago
- /display/heraldsun.com.au/Web/HeraldSun/HS State News and Galleries/
Armed Robbers wanted after crime spree in three Melbourne suburbs
Two men with a metal pole and knife strike three businesses on May 4 — first a Wheelers Hill pizza shop about 8.20pm, taking the cash register.
They drive to Dandenong milk bar on David St and steal cigarette lighters and tobacco pouches about an hour later.
They then hit a Rowville service station on Stud Rd — this time with box cutter and steal items from counter as attendant flees to an office.
Police wish to speak with two men in dark clothing. One wore a balaclava and the other a bandana across his face.
Both 180-185cm and of thin build.
BENTLEIGH — SOMERVILLE
TWO armed robbers with wooden garden stakes studded with sharp objects on July 9 about 5.50pm jump counter of Bentleigh IGA on Patterson Rd and steal cash register.
Four men then about 6.50pm demand cash at Somerville Aldi store on Frankston-Flinders Rd.
Flee in white Toyota Kluger SUV.
Police are searching for bandits who robbed a Somerville Aldi store on July 9. Picture: Supplied
CLAYTON SOUTH
Two men armed with chainsaw hit service station on Clayton Rd on February 10 about 6.15am.
Flee in dark Toyota RAV, allegedly stolen from Narre Warren, with cash and cigarettes.
Police wish to speak with man wearing white long sleeve top, black gloves and black bandana.
Second man wore coloured scarf and dark clothes.
DONCASTER
Gun-wielding bandit on October 11 last year twice racks firearm at Leeds St milk bar — demanding cash.
Attendant screams and bandit flees.
Police seeking caucasian man aged in late 20s to early 30s who wore hooded jumper and tracksuit pants.
Two men who robbed a Clayton South service station with chainsaw are among attacks. Picture: Crime Stoppers
A man who allegedly robbed a Doncaster milk bar armed with a gun on October 11 last year. Picture: Crime Stoppers
MURRUMBEENA
Man on January 25 about 5.40pm demands money and cigarettes at Murrumbeena Rd supermarket.
Threatens one worker with knife.
Bandit runs off southbound.
Police seeking man in black clothing with material covering face.
Knife was a knuckle duster with blade on end.window.
A bandit armed with a knife robbed a Murrumbeena supermarket1:07
WANTED: A bandit threatened staff with a knife during an armed robbery of a Murrumbeena supermarket on January 25. Source: Crime Stoppers
- September 4th 2017
- 4 days ago
- /display/heraldsun.com.au/Web/HeraldSun/HS State News and Galleries/
A bandit armed with a knife robbed a Murrumbeena supermarket
WERRIBEE
Hammer produced when man strikes Walls Rd service station on February 18 about 10.45pm —
demanding cash and taking cigarettes.
Puts them in plastic bag and runs off.
Police wish to speak with man in black tracksuit pants, black hooded jumper with a print on front, grey runners and skull bandana over face.
GLADSTONE PARK
Knife-wielding robber on May 13 about 8.50pm holds up Carrick Drive milk bar — demanding worker opens register before taking money and cigarettes.
Police seeking caucasian man aged about 30 and 175cm.
Had vertical scar on back of neck.
A hammer was produced during an attack on a service station in Werribee on February 18. Picture: Crime Stoppers
This man may be able to assist police after a Gladstone Park milk bar was robbed at knifepoint on May 13. Picture: Crime Stoppers
Victoria Police is urging business owners to install CCTV and security barriers, to limit the amount of cash they keep on site, and to phone police if they notice strangers watching their store or behaving abnormally.
Anyone with information about unsolved armed robberies should contact Crime Stoppers via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
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