19 December 2017 – Armed Robbery – Food Store – St Kilda East
Published December 22, 2017 | 
Port Philip Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating following an armed robbery at a food store in St Kilda East yesterday afternoon.
Investigators believe a man attended the Westbury Street store at about 3.30pm yesterday and demanded cigarettes.
The man produced a large kitchen knife from his backpack.
Cigarettes were stolen and the male fled on foot along Alma Road where he got into a black hatchback – possibly a Mitsubishi or VW.
The man is described as about 30-years-old with tanned skin, a thin build and wearing a yellow fluorescent top with long black sleeves, khaki tradie-style shorts and dark coloured gloves.
He was wearing a black balaclava.
1 December 2017 – Armed Robbery – Supermarket – Collinswood
Published December 8, 2017 | Police are investigating a robbery at a supermarket at Collinswood overnight.
Just before 8.30pm on Thursday 30 November, two men wearing dark clothing and with their faces covered, entered the supermarket on North East Road, Collinswood. One of the suspects produced a handgun while the other had a knife. They threatened staff before stealing an amount of cash and left on foot.
The first suspect was wearing blue jeans, a black jacket, a blue baseball cap and used a white handkerchief to cover his face. He was a larger build than the second suspect. The second suspect was wearing black track pants, black Nike sandshoes, a grey and black hooded top with white tassels and used a black handkerchief to cover his face.
No one was physically injured during the robbery.
Police searched the area with the assistance of Police Dog Roy but were unable to locate the suspects.
2 December 2017 – Armed Robbery – Supermarket – Salamander Bay
Published December 8, 2017 | Police have commenced inquiries after a truck driver was threatened with an axe and detained during an armed robbery at Salamander Bay overnight.
The 31-year-old man, a delivery driver for a supermarket, was confronted by two men after parking his truck in the loading dock of a shopping centre on Town Centre Circuit about 4.30am today (Saturday 2 December 2017).
The men, who had their faces concealed, threatened him with an axe before detaining him and forcing him into the food court of the shopping centre.
They stole cash from a number of outlets and fled after ordering the driver to lie behind a counter.
Police were alerted and officers from Port Stephens Local Area Command attended and established a crime scene, which was forensically examined.
An investigation into the incident is underway and police are appealing for public assistance to identify and locate those involved.
The men were heavily concealed; however, they’ve been described as being aged in their late teens or early 20s, approximately 170 to 180cm tall and with athletic builds.
The driver wasn’t injured during the incident.
26 November 2017 – Armed Robbery – Grocery Store – Strathpine
Published December 1, 2017 | Detectives are investigating an armed robbery that occurred at a grocery store in Strathpine this evening.
Around 6.40pm, a woman entered the Craigan Street business and threatened the store attendant with a blood-filled syringe.
The store attendant handed over a sum of cash, and the woman fled the scene in a vehicle.
No one was physically injured as a result.
Investigations are continuing.
29 November 2017 – Update – Appeal – CCTV Released – 20 Armed Robberies – Various – South and Eastern Melbourne Suburbs
Published December 1, 2017 | Southern Metro Region Crime Team detectives are seeking public assistance to help solve a series of armed robberies that have occurred in the southern and eastern suburbs of Melbourne across a period of almost two years.
Investigators believe two men have targeted bottle shops, petrol stations and fast-food restaurants in incidents dating back to January 2016 and as recent as August 2017.
It is believed the pair are responsible for about 20 armed robberies.
A bottle shop on Centre Road, near Melaleuca Drive, has been the target of the offenders on four separate occasions with the most recent armed robbery occurring on 3 August.
Police have released CCTV and images of two men who they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.
One of the men is perceived to be of African appearance, the other is perceived to be of Caucasian appearance.
Both men appear to be aged in their early twenties.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
20 November 2017 – Arrest – Armed Robbery – Supermarket – Wyndham Vale
Published November 24, 2017 | Police have charged a man following an alleged armed robbery at a supermarket in Wyndham Vale last night.
It is alleged three men wearing hooded jumpers and gloves attended the address about 9.30pm.
The men brandished knives and threatened staff, before leaving the shop with an amount of cash and cigarettes.
One of the workers, a woman in her 50s, received a laceration to her hand during the incident and was treated on scene.
Embona Taskforce detectives arrested an 18-year-old man in Wyndham Vale earlier this afternoon.
The Wyndham Vale man is set to be presented to Melbourne Magistrates’ Court this evening charged with armed robbery.
He was also charged in relation to another alleged armed robbery at a supermarket in Hoppers Crossing on 13 November.
Police are still searching for two other men in relation to the Wyndham Vale incident.
They are perceived to be of African appearance and may have made several purchases in the Wyndham Vale area prior to the alleged armed robbery.
21 November 2017 – Update – Charges Laid – Armed Robberies – Supermarket – Auburn
Published November 24, 2017 | Two teenage boys will face court today after being charged by detectives investigating two separate armed robberies at a supermarket in Sydney’s south-west three months ago.
Just after midnight on Sunday 7 August 2017, three people armed with knives entered the rear of a supermarket at Auburn, and allegedly threatened staff, demanding cash.
The group allegedly stole the staff members’ mobile phones before running from the store and fleeing in a dark-coloured hatchback.
About 7.20pm the following Saturday (12 August 2017), two people, who had their faces covered, entered the Auburn supermarket, and approached an office.
The pair gained access to the office and allegedly threatened a female employee and assaulted her, before taking cash and fleeing in a dark-coloured hatchback.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad established Strike Force Gallium to investigate the robberies.
Following extensive inquiries, Strike Force Gallium investigators, with the assistance of South West Metropolitan Region Enforcement Squad, executed two search warrants at homes at Guildford and Auburn just after 6.30am today (Tuesday 21 November 2017).
Two teenage boys were arrested during the warrants and taken to Auburn Police Station.
The 17-year-old Guildford boy was charged with robbery whilst armed with a dangerous weapon.
The 17-year-old Auburn boy was charged with two counts of robbery whilst armed with a dangerous weapon.
Both boys have been refused bail to appear at a children’s court today.
Today’s arrests follow the arrest and charge of an 18-year-old man earlier this month. He remains before the courts.
Inquiries are continuing.
14 November 2017 – Charges Laid – Armed Robbery – General Store – Kiama
Published November 17, 2017 | Two men have now been charged after an alleged armed robbery in Kiama and police pursuit at Bombaderry earlier today.
Police from Lake Illawarra Local Area Command were called to a general store in Kiama about 2pm (Tuesday 14 November 2017), and were told a car had stopped outside the Manning Street business and a passenger walked inside.
The man allegedly threatened a staff member with a knife, demanding money. He was handed cash and the man ran from the store and was driven from the scene.
A description of the vehicle was provided to police and disseminated via police radio.
Shortly after 2.30pm, a vehicle matching the description was sighted on Bolong Road, Bombaderry. It was stopped by police from Shoalhaven Local Area Command after a pursuit through the Nowra CBD.
Two men were arrested in East Nowra after a short foot pursuit and were taken to Nowra Police Station.
Detectives from Lake Illawarra have now charged the two men.
A 21-year-old man was charged with robbery in company and being carried in a conveyance.
An 18-year-old man was charged with robbery in company, unlawful use of conveyance, police pursuit not stop, and being unlicensed.
The pair was refused bail and will appear in Nowra Local Court tomorrow (Wednesday 15 November 2017).
12 November 2017 – Armed Robberies – Supermarket – Auburn
Published November 17, 2017 | A man and teenage boy were arrested for alleged drug supply by detectives investigating two separate armed robberies at a supermarket in Sydney’s south-west three months ago.
Just after midnight on Sunday 7 August 2017, three people armed with knives entered the rear of a supermarket at Auburn, and threatened staff, demanding cash.
The group stole the staff members’ mobile phones before running from the store and fleeing in a dark-coloured hatchback.
About 7.20pm the following Saturday (12 August 2017), two men, who had their faces covered, entered the Auburn supermarket, and approached an office.
The pair gained access to the office and threatened a female employee and assaulted her, before taking cash and fleeing in a dark-coloured hatchback.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad established Strike Force Gallium to investigate the robberies, which are believed to be linked.
As part of ongoing investigations, strike force detectives stopped a car on Kippax Street, Surry Hills, about 5.30pm yesterday (Saturday 11 November 2017).
Police spoke with the 17-year-old male driver and the 18-year-old male passenger before conducting a search of the vehicle, where they located 33g of cocaine, which was seized.
The pair was taken to Waverley Police Station.
Shortly after the arrest, Strike Force Gallium detectives executed a search warrant at a home on Bennett Street, South Granville.
Investigators seized a car, which is believed to be proceeds of crime; an extendable baton, and other items relevant to the investigation.
The 18-year-old South Granville man was charged with accessory before the fact to armed robbery, robbery whilst armed with a dangerous weapon in company, deal with property suspected of being proceeds of crime, drive while suspended, supply prohibited drug, and possess prohibited weapon.
He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court today (Sunday 12 November 2017).
The 17-year-old Auburn boy was charged with supply prohibited drug.
He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at a children’s court on Monday 11 December 2017.
Investigations under Strike Force Gallium are ongoing, and further arrests are expected.
1 November 2017 – Armed Robbery – Supermarket – Rothwell
Published November 3, 2017 | Police are investigating following the armed robbery of a supermarket in Rothwell this morning.
A man walked into the business on Bremner Road around 5.10am, selected a flavoured milk from the drink fridge and approached the front counter.
He then put a bag on the front counter and demanded money and cigarettes from the female cashier before revealing what appeared to be a firearm from the pocket of his jumper.
The cashier complied and handed over a sum of cash and the man fled the scene.
Police have released CCTV images (below) of the man who is described as Caucasian in appearance, around 170cm tall with a medium build, short dark hair with lines shaved into the side.
He was wearing a black hooded jumper with black tracksuit pants and was carrying a black bag.
Police are urging anyone who may recognise the man or have further information about the incident to contact Policelink or Crime Stoppers.
