Detectives have been kept busy this weekend after the same armed bandit committed three robberies in the space of 12 hours.
At 11.30pm on Saturday night the rampage began when he targeted an adult sex shop on the Maroondah Highway in Ringwood.
The bandit entered the store, walked around for a short time then left.
Moments later he returned and threatened the staff member with a knife before running off with a sum of cash.
The next venue to be targeted was a drive-thru bottle shop on Lower Heidelberg Road in Heidelberg.
At 11.45pm the offender approached the two sales assistants armed with a knife and again made demands for them to open the till.
Within seconds the offender was off again with the evening’s cash takings.
Not satisfied with his nightshift takings, on Sunday morning he attended a gaming venue on High Street in Thornbury.
Around 10.50am he made his way to the cashier where he grabbed her by the waist.
Armed with his knife, he began making demands for cash. The attendant complied and he was off again with an amount of cash.
Neither of the shop assistants, nor the gaming attendant were injured in the robberies.
The offender is perceived to be of Southern European or Indian appearance and aged about 20 – 25 years. He is approximately 180cms tall and had a mole above his upper lip. Police have also been told he spoke with a lisp and may possibly have a speech impediment.
Police have released images of a man that may be able to assist with their enquiries.