Detectives from Darebin Crime Investigation Unit are investigating an armed robbery at a retail outlet in Preston this afternoon.
Investigators have been told that three masked men, allegedly armed with knives and poles, entered the Regent Street store just before 1pm.
The men have made demands for money and stole cigarettes, purses and a quantity of cash from the store owners and customers.
The men were all wearing dark coloured hooded tops and masks.
A fourth man was waiting in a vehicle outside the store and this car was last sighted in Massey Street in Reservoir.
No one was injured during the incident and the investigation is ongoing.