A series of armed robberies across Melbourne, targeting petrol stations and supermarkets, has left staff and customers shaken. Police reported that on a recent evening, four IGA stores in the eastern suburbs and multiple service stations and bottle shops in the west were attacked by armed groups demanding cash and cigarettes.
At approximately 1pm, a black car was implicated in a petrol drive-off at a service station in Wonga Park, situated 33km north-east of the city centre. Shortly thereafter, the same group allegedly threatened staff at a nearby IGA using a machete and crowbar, making off with cash and cigarettes. A heroic elderly customer attempted to intervene but was violently pushed to the ground and kicked, receiving minor injuries from the altercation. The culprits escaped in the car, and no arrests have been made to date.
Meanwhile, a different group of four offenders executed a series of armed robberies using a stolen white Audi from 8:15 pm to 11:10 pm at various locations, including service stations and a Thirsty Camel bottle shop in Derrimut, Tottenham, and Tarneit. They allegedly displayed at least one edged weapon and demanded cash and merchandise during these incidents.
Law enforcement tracked the stolen Audi to West Footscray, where four males were arrested: a 20-year-old from Glenroy, a 19-year-old from Wallan, an 18-year-old from Werribee, and a 17-year-old from the Merri-bek area. The links between the robberies in Melbourne’s eastern and western regions remain unclear.
Authorities are urging anyone who witnessed the events or possesses relevant footage to contact Crime Stoppers. As investigations continue, the local community remains on alert due to the brazen nature of these crimes.