20 September 2016 – Hanbag Theft – Gaming Room – Boronia
Published September 23, 2016 | 
Observant staff at a Boronia licenced venue have proved vital to the success of an investigation into the theft of an elderly ladies bag in Boronia earlier this month.
The 88-year-old was in a gaming room allegedly being watched by the suspect before leaving onto Boronia Road on Wednesday 7 September about 12pm.
Once outside the venue, the 26-year-old man allegedly snatched the woman’s handbag, containing a large sum of money and personal effects before pushing her to the ground and fleeing.
Staff rushed to the assistance of the lady, who requires a walking frame to get around and police were called.
Knox Crime Investigation Unit commenced an investigation and due to a hot tip from staff at the venue, the accused was located back there on Friday and subsequently arrested.
The 26-year-old man alerted police to where he disposed of the bag and it was recovered along with the woman’s deceased husband’s jewellery that was inside it. The cash however, was missing
The man was charged with robbery and bailed to appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court at a later date.
12 September 2016 – Arrest – Armed Robbery – Milkbar – Ballarat
Published September 15, 2016 | Ballarat Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a Wendouree man following a number of offences committed in the Ballarat area over the weekend.
The first two alleged incidents occurred on Sunday 11 September, within minutes of each other about 2.30pm.
In the first incident a masked man, allegedly armed with an axe, entered a milk bar on Joseph Street but fled after being confronted by the owner.
A short time later, the same man entered a milk bar on the corner of Kline Street and Wesley Court, where he allegedly threatened the attendant before stealing a quantity of cigarettes.
Approximately an hour later, the same man allegedly committed an aggravated burglary on a residential address in Elaine while armed with a sword.
The 26-year-old Wendouree man was arrested late yesterday afternoon in Meredith
and charged with armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, aggravated burglary, possess prohibited weapon, theft from motor car and traffic offences.
He was remanded in custody overnight and will appear at the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court this morning.
7 September 2016 – Armed Robbery – Jewellery Store – Elsternwick
Published September 9, 2016 | Police are investigating an armed robbery at an Elsternwick jewellry store on Monday afternoon.
Investigators have been told two men, one armed with a sledgehammer and the other a handgun, entered the Riddell Parade store just after midday on 5 September.
Once inside the store, the pair have threatened staff and smashed glass cabinets, stealing a quantity of jewelry before fleeing.
The two offenders got into a waiting stolen grey 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander station wagon, driven by a third offender.
The car drove south on Riddell Parade, then east on Rowan Street where one of the occupants got out and into another vehicle, believed to be a silver 1998 Mercedes Coupe.
Both vehicles then left the area.
The Mitsubishi, registration YSF 086 was stolen during a daytime burglary in Diamond Creek on 31 August.
No shots were fired during the incident and two male and two female store attendants, aged in their 30s and 50s, were not physically injured.
The offenders are described as aged in their early 20s, thin build and Australian accents.
Both men had their faces covered with what appears to be t-shirts.
7 September 2016 – Appeal – Armed Robbery – Service Station – Whittlesea
Published September 9, 2016 | Whittlesea Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for assistance from the public following an armed robbery in Whittlesea last month.
Investigators have been told an unknown man walked into a service station on Plenty Road on Thursday 28 July about 12.30am.
The man approached the service station attendant armed with large silver machete and made demands for cash.
The attendant handed over a quantity of cash and then pressed a duress alarm.
Police have been told the man then exited the store heading north on Plenty Road.
Investigators have released CCTV footage and images of a man they would like to speak to in relation to the incident.
2 September 2016 – Arrests – Ram Raid – Camping Store – Narre Warren
Published September 2, 2016 | Two men have been taken into custody on the Monash Freeway in a dramatic arrest this morning following a ram raid in Narre Warren.
Police were notified of the ram raid after an alert member of the public noticed a van crash through the doors of a camping store and start to load up goods, on Narre Warren North Road, just after 4.30am.
The van was pursued by police for a short time before it sped off.
Another police unit came across the van with its lights off, near Hallam Belgrave Road, before it turned onto the Monash Freeway travelling inbound in the outbound lanes.
The van continued on the Monash before it crashed into a railing on the centre median strip.
One of the offenders ran into grassland before he was arrested by a canine unit with the assistance of the Airwing.
The other man carjacked a vehicle at the scene of the crash, reversed into another car, then side swiped a police car before again driving at police members when they were getting out of the van.
The stolen car then collided with a prime mover before the offender was sprayed by police and arrested.
Both men, aged 26 and 22-years, have been taken to hospital and are under police guard.
Casey Crime Investigation Unit is investigating.
No police or members of the public were injured.
1 September 2016 – Armed Robbery – Milk Bar – Thomastown
Published September 2, 2016 | Whittlesea Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance following an armed robbery at a milk bar in Thomastown on Monday.
Investigators have been told a man entered the Hazel Avenue milk bar armed with an imitation firearm and walked directly to the front counter about 8.25pm.
The man demanded the attendant open the cash register and then stole a quantity of cash.
He left the store and fled on a white motorcycle which was parked nearby.
Police have released images of a man who they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.
Pic to come.
25 August 2016 – Petrol Drive Off – Berwick
Published August 26, 2016 | Monash Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating following a petrol drive off in Berwick earlier this month.
A man attended a High Street service station where he filled up a white hatch back with fuel on Saturday 13 August about 8pm.
Police believe the vehicle was stolen from a burglary in Clayton on August 10.
Investigators have released images of the vehicle and a man they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.
19 August 2016 – Robbery – Bottle Shop – Melbourne
Published August 19, 2016 | Melbourne West police have released images following the theft of a mobile phone from a bottle shop attendant in Melbourne last month.
Investigators have been told a man walked into the Melbourne Central shop around 11.20am on Friday 8 and approached the male staff member.
Police have been told that the man leaned over the counter and grabbed a Samsung Galaxy mobile phone from the attendant before walking from the store.
At the time of the incident the offender was wearing a black cap, glasses, black jacket and also had a visible neck tattoo.
Investigators have released images of a man that they believe may be able to assist with their enquires.
16 August 2016 – Armed Robbery – Retail Stores – Narre Warren
Published August 19, 2016 | Police are appealing for public help after two armed robberies were committed on retail stores in Narre Warren in June.
Investigators believe that the same man is responsible for the two Rebound Court armed robberies.
The first incident happened when the unknown masked man entered a tobacco store, armed with a small handgun, about 5pm on Saturday 11 June.
Once inside, the armed man approached a staff member and demanded cigarettes and cash from the register.
The staff member complied and handed over the cigarettes and cash before the offender left the store.
The next day the same man, armed with a firearm and wearing a mask, entered an Asian grocery store on Rebound Court about 12.20pm.
On this occasion he threatened the staff member with a small firearm and was given an amount of money before fleeing.
The man is described as being perceived to be of Caucasian appearance, aged in his 20s with a medium build.
He was wearing a beige hoodie, dark track pants and thongs.
15 August 2016 – Armed Robbery – Milk Bar – Hallam
Published August 19, 2016 | Police are appealing for public help after an armed robbery at a milk bar in Hallam last month.
Investigators have been told two unknown men entered the Marshall Place milk bar, one carrying a hammer, about 4.30pm on Saturday 23 July.
Once inside, the armed man approached a staff member and demanded cigarettes and cash from the register.
The staff member complied and handed over the cigarettes and cash.
The offenders also stole a number of boxes of confectionary from the front counter as they left the store.
The pair was seen getting into a small blue hatchback vehicle, with partial number plate – 534.
The man carrying the hammer is described as being aged in his 20s, 180cm tall, Caucasian with a medium build.
He was wearing a beanie and a black jacket.
The second man is described as being 175cm tall, Caucasian and had a black cloth covering his face.
