18 July 2017 – Arrests – Armed Robberies – Taxi Drivers – Melbourne West
Published July 21, 2017 | 
Three men have been charged following a series of alleged armed robberies on taxi drivers in Melbourne’s west.
Altona North Embona Taskforce detectives have investigated a number of incidents where drivers have allegedly had cash and mobile phones stolen.
The incidents took place in suburbs including Yarraville, West Footscray and Travencore from 9 June to 2 July.
Three men have now been charged and each will appear in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in the coming months.
A 19-year-old Footscray man has been charged with armed robbery and false imprisonment.
A 27-year-old Footscray man has been charged with armed robbery, possess firearm and commit indictable offence whilst on bail.
A 19-year-old Ardeer man was charged with multiple counts of armed robbery,
commit indictable offence whilst on bail and attempted armed robbery.
11 July 2017 – Charges Laid – Armed Robbery – Retail Store – Thornbury
Published July 14, 2017 | Police have charged four teens in regards to an armed robbery in Thornbury today.
It is believed the alleged offenders entered a Miller Street retail outlet at about 2pm armed with hammers and an axe, removing cigarettes and a quantity of cash before leaving the scene in a car.
Police arrested a 15-year-old from Truganina, a 16-year-old from Reservoir and two 16-year-olds from Tarneit shortly after in nearby parkland in relation to the armed robbery.
No one was injured during the incident.
All four have been charged with armed robbery and associated offences and are currently awaiting out of sessions bail/remand hearings.
11 July 2017 – Armed Robbery – Milkbar – Deer Park
Published July 14, 2017 | Police are investigating an armed robbery of a milk bar in Deer Park yesterday.
A man entered the business on Porter Court about 12.30pm on 10 July and approached the counter.
The man then threatened an employee with a firearm.
A small amount of cash was handed over and the man then jumped over the counter and stole cigarettes before fleeing.
No one was physically injured during the incident.
The man involved in the incident is perceived to be Caucasian in appearance, aged in his early to mid-30s, about 183cm tall, with olive skin, brown eyes, a medium build and a short beard.
Investigators have released CCTV vision of a man that may be able to assist with their enquiries.
Detectives from Brimbank Embona Taskforce are also investigating if the incident is linked to a series of other armed robberies occurring in the area over the last two months.
The incidents occurred on 21 May at a Deer Park chemist, on 18 June at a service station in Deer Park and on 19 June at a chemist in St Albans.
They also believe the offender is likely to be local to the Brimbank area.
10 July 2017 – Armed Robbery – Supermarket – Somerville
Published July 14, 2017 | Police are investigating an armed robbery at a Somerville supermarket last night.
At about 6.40pm four men entered the Frankston-Flinders Road business and threatened staff with wooden stakes while demanding cash.
They fled a short time later with an undisclosed sum of money.
The offenders were last seen in a white Toyota Kluger SUV on Frankston-Flinders Road.
9 July 2017 – Armed Robbery – Convenience Store – Werribee
Published July 14, 2017 | Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding an armed robbery at a convenience store in Werribee earlier this evening.
Investigators have been told that up to eight youths entered the store on Derwent Road around 7.30pm.
The robbers were all wearing dark clothing with bandannas or balaclavas on their faces.
Two of the youths were armed with knives.
The youths ran into the shop, jumping over a front counter and stealing cigarettes and cash.
Three people who were in the residence of the shop were not injured.
The youths also caused damage to the shop, pulling items from shelves and smashing windows.
3 July 2017 – Update – CCTV Released – Armed Robbery – Adult Store – South Morang
Published July 7, 2017 | Police are investigating an armed robbery on an adult store in South Morang last month.
Investigators have been told a male entered the Oleander Drive business about 6.17pm on 11 June.
The man returned at 7.40pm, walked around the counter with a small axe in his hand and removed a quantity of cash from the till before leaving the store.
The man is described as Caucasian, 180cm tall, large build and was wearing a grey jumper over a high vis hooded top
Investigators have released images of a man they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
3 July 2017 – Update – CCTV Released – Armed Robbery – Supermarket – Bundoora
Published July 7, 2017 | Police are investigating an armed robbery at a Bundoora supermarket in mid-June.
At about 5pm on 12 June a man entered the Grimshaw St business and approached a counter attendant with a black handgun and demanded cash.
The man produced a bright purple or pink coloured bag for the attendant to fill with cash.
The male offender then walked out of the store where he met up with a second male who remained outside the store during the offence.
The man who entered the store is described as aged in his 20s, Caucasian with a small build, unshaven with light or ginger coloured hair, wearing a light purple beanie, a striped hoodie and dark pants.
The second man is described as wearing a dark coloured jacket with a grey hoodie, grey or dark coloured pants and dark coloured runners.
25 June 2017 – Arrest – Armed Robberies – Various – Dandenong South
Published June 30, 2017 | Detectives from Frankston Embona Taskforce have arrested a Frankston man in relation to a series of alleged armed robberies.
The 29-year-old was arrested after running from police when they attended an address in Tamarisk Drive, Frankston North to make enquires about the robberies.
He was interviewed over incidents in Dandenong South, Braeside, Carrum Downs, Frankston and Baxter which occurred in the last month.
The man faced an out of sessions hearing and was charged with armed robbery and burglary.
He has been remanded to appear at the Frankston Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.
A silver Nissan Navara that police were looking for has also been located.
Investigators would like to thank the public for their assistance.
22 June 2017 – Arrests – Armed Robbery – Service Station – Elwood
Published June 23, 2017 | Port Phillip police have charged three teens following an alleged armed robbery in Elwood this morning.
The incident allegedly happened at a service station on Marine Parade just before 1am.
Police have charged a 15-year-old boy from Altona Meadows, 16-year-old girl from Werribee and 13-year-old boy from Ashwood with armed robbery, assault and weapons-related offences.
All are due to face a children’s court today.
A fourth teen, a 15-year-old Elsternwick boy, is also expected to be charged.
22 June 2017 – Armed Robberies – Multiple Sites – Melbourne SE Suburbs
Published June 23, 2017 | Detectives from Frankston Embona Taskforce are investigating a series of armed robberies which have taken place in Melbourne’s south eastern suburbs.
The armed robberies took place in Dandenong South, Braeside, Carrum Downs, Frankston and Baxter between 10 and 20 June.
The first incident occurred just after 11am on 10 June at a café on Abbotts Road in Dandenong South.
A male has parked a Nissan Navara ute with false numberplates at the rear of the shop, then entered the café armed with a knife and hammer.
The man then made demands for cash and cigarettes and was given quantities of both.
He then left the premises and the vehicle was sighted travelling east towards the South Gippsland Highway.
At the time of the incident the man was wearing a black mask and a hooded jumper.
The second incident occurred at a foot outlet on Industrial Drive, Braeside about 5.15am on 14 June.
A man entered the store armed with a knife and tyre lever, threatening staff members and demanding cash.
He also demanded access to an ATM, which staff members weren’t able to provide, so he kicked it several times.
He then left with a quantity of cash and got into a silver coloured 4×4 ute.
The man has been described as being about 168cm tall with a thin build.
At the time he was wearing a black balaclava, black hooded jumper and light coloured jeans.
The third incident occurred about 9am on 18 June at a store on Lathams Road, Carrum Downs.
A man entered the store armed with a knife and made demands for cash.
Staff handed over a quantity of money and the man then smashed a glass display and stole two PENN surf fishing reels, valued at about $800 each.
The man was then seen to drive away in a silver Nissan Navara ute.
The fourth incident occurred about 5.45pm on 19 June at a store on Beach Street, Frankston.
A man entered the store armed with a bar and made demands for cash.
He then tore a till off the bench, ripping plug from it’s wall socket.
The man then left in a silver Nissan Navara ute.
He has been described as wearing dark clothing at the time of the incident.
The fifth incident occurred just after 6.40pm on 20 June at a supermarket on the Baxter-Tooradin Road in Baxter.
A man has parked a silver Nissan Navara ute in a disabled car space outside the supermarket and then entered the store carrying a knife and a duffle bag.
A approached a staff member at the express lanes and made a demand for cash.
After being given a quantity of money, he drove away in the vehicle.
No one was physically injured during any of the incidents.
Investigators have released CCTV from the Frankston incident and an image of the vehicle from the Carrum Downs incident.
They believe the same vehicle was used in each of the incidents, a silver Nissan Navara ute with stolen number plates ZVA 874.
Anyone who witnessed the incidents or with any information about the series is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Natalie Webster
Media Officer
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