Regional Investigations Unit officers are seeking to identify witnesses to two armed robberies on liquor stores in the northern suburbs. The first occurred at a liquor store on East Road in Hocking on 16 February. At around 8.15pm, two employees and two customers were in the store, when they were confronted by a man holding a knife.

He demanded money from one employee, and was given an amount of cash from the till and safe before leaving the store.

He is described as being around 173 – 175 cm tall, of a solid build, with a fair complexion and Australian accent. He was wearing a balaclava with a distinctive white print on the back, cream gloves, a dark colour top, and denim jeans. The second robbery occurred at a liquor store on Marina Boulevard in Ocean Reef on 26 February.

At around 8pm, the offender entered the store armed with a knife and demanded cash from the manager of the store. He was given amount of cash from the till before running from the  store. The offender is described as wearing a grey hooded jumper, denim jeans, cream gloves, and a balaclava with a distinctive white print on the back.

Police believe these two incidents may be linked, and the offender is believed to have left both stores in a small vehicle (possibly a hatchback).