15 August 2016 – Ram Raids – Businesses and Jewellery Store – Frankston
Published August 19, 2016 | 
Frankston Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance following a two night burglary spree in Frankston and surrounding suburbs last week.
A number of businesses were targeted with cigarettes, cash, lottery scratchies and jewellery stolen during the raids.
The first break-in occurred about 3.20am on Tuesday 9 August at a service station on Baxter-Tooraddin Road.
Cigarettes, cash and food were stolen by the offenders before they drove to a service station on Frankston-Flinders Road in Somerville about 40 minutes later.
They caused damage to an automatic teller machine before leaving empty handed and driving to a newsagent on Baxter-Tooradin Road, Baxter.
They broke into the agency about 4.10am and stole scratchies and cash before leaving.
The next night the same offenders are believed to have committed a ram raid at a jewellery store on Cranbourne Road, Frankston about 2.15am.
They stole a large quantity of jewellery before leaving the store and driving to a service station on Cranbourne Road, Langwarrin.
The thieves broke in and stole cigarettes.
Investigators believe that at least five offenders are involved and a Suzuki Swift and an Isuzu ute have been used in the commission of the offences.
Detectives have released images and CCTV footage in the hope that someone may be able to assist in identifying those responsible.
9 August 2016 – Charges Laid – Armed Robbery – Fast Food Restaurant – Mt Derriumut
Published August 12, 2016 | Brimbank Embona Armed Robbery Taskforce detectives have charged a man following an alleged armed robbery committed on a fast food restaurant in Derrimut on Sunday night.
Investigators were told that the man entered the Mt Derrimut Road store around 8.30pm, armed with a knife.
The man allegedly punched a staff member before making demands for cash.
The man was given an amount of money and ran from the store.
Detectives have charged a 20-year-old Derrimut with armed robbery, intentionally cause injury and assault with a weapon.
He has been remanded to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court tomorrow morning.
4 August 2016 – Update – 4th Arrest – Armed Robberies – Taxi Drivers – Brunswick
Published August 5, 2016 | A fourth person has been charged following a series of alleged armed robberies on taxis in Brunswick in June.
A 15-year-old Coburg boy attended a court hearing today for one of those already charged in relation to the alleged offences.
Police approached the boy and he ran from court.
He was later spotted on the corner of Little Lonsdale Street and Elizabeth Street and subsequently arrested.
The boy was conveyed to Fawkner police station and charged with theft, assault with a weapon, unlawful assault, burglary, assault police and resist police.
He was bailed to appear at a children’s court on 26 August.
The boy is the fourth person to be arrested in relation to the series of 10 incidents, which were alleged to have occurred in Brunswick between 5 and 15 June.
Detectives from Fawkner Embona Taskforce arrested a 17-year-old Coburg boy and a 24-year-old Broadmeadows man on 15 June.
They were each charged with armed robbery, robbery, attempted robbery, theft, intentionally and recklessly cause injury, assault with a weapon and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail.
A 13-year-old Brunswick boy was arrested on 16 June and charged with theft, assault with a weapon and attempted robbery.
2 August 2016 – Arrest – Ram Raids – Shopping Centre and Shop – Essendon
Published August 5, 2016 | A man was arrested this morning following two recent ram raids at a sports store in Essendon.
Police were called after the 24-year-old man allegedly threatened a security guard at a shopping centre on Bulla Road, Essendon about 2.30am.
His vehicle was located about 4.30am in Charles Street, Ascot Vale and Avondale Heights police then spotted him nearby and arrested him.
The man was interviewed in relation to last night’s incident and two recent ram raids in Essendon.
The first incident is alleged to have occurred at the Bulla Road store about 1.30am on 31 July.
Offenders have rammed a vehicle into the front of the shop and clothes were then taken from the store.
The second incident is alleged to have occurred about 6.25am on 1 August and the offender again drove a vehicle into the shop front before stealing clothes.
No one was injured during either incident.
The man, who is no fixed place of address, has been charged by detectives from Moonee Valley Crime Investigation Unit with burglary, theft, theft of motor vehicle, unlawful assault, assault with a weapon, possess proceeds of crime and drive whilst disqualified.
He will face Melbourne Magistrate’s Court this afternoon.
27 July 2016 – Armed Robbery – Bank – Broadmeadows
Published July 28, 2016 | Armed Crime Squad detectives have charged a 19-year-old man following a robbery outside a bank in Broadmeadows on 2 May.
A man was allegedly robbed outside a bank on Pascoe Vale Road about 4.30pm.
The offender produced a firearm and stole the victim’s bag containing cash.
A Broadmeadows man was arrested this morning and charged with three counts of armed robbery, four counts of theft of motor vehicle, three counts of commercial burglary and other traffic related offences.
He will appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today.
26 July 2106 – Ram Raid – Supermarket – Carlton North
Published July 28, 2016 | A trio of bumbling would-be thieves put on a woeful display of driving skills during a failed ram raid at a supermarket in Carlton North this month.
Melbourne North Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating the incident in which three masked offenders in two cars attended a store at the intersection of Princes and Drummond Streets on 17 July about 4.30am.
Demonstrating driving skills reminiscent of Austin Powers, the crooks spent about three-and-a-half minutes slowing inching forwards and backwards in their Ford ute as they attempted to line up the vehicle with the supermarket’s front door.
At last in position, the offenders rammed the front door of the supermarket several times and raced in to steal an ATM inside the store.
But the would-be thieves once again ran into difficulties as they attempted to wrap a chain around the machine in an effort to drag it out with their ute.
After a couple of minutes fumbling with the chain, the men eventually conceded the task was beyond them and drove away empty handed in the two vehicles they arrived in.
Investigators have released an image the vehicles and CCTV of the incident in the hope someone may recognise something.
26 July 2016 – Armed Robbery – Fast Food Restaurant – Springvale
Published July 28, 2016 | Police are investigating after two masked men robbed a fast food restaurant in Springvale last night.
The armed robbery took place at the Springvale Road restaurant just after 9pm.
Police have been told that two masked men, armed with knives, threatened the four staff members demanding cash.
The men were given an amount of cash before fleeing from the store.
Investigators believe that the men may be responsible for another armed robbery that occurred later in the night at Heatherton.
In this incident, two armed offenders held up staff at a fast food restaurant on Warrigal Road at 9.45pm.
The men directed staff to the rear of the store while they emptied tills in the front of the store and the drive-thru area.
The men fled the scene in a waiting car thought to be a small silver hatch which had been reported as stolen.
21 July 2016 – Armed Robbery – Business Premises – Campbellfield
Published July 22, 2016 | Fawkner Embona Taskforce detectives are appealing for public assistance following an armed robbery at a Campbellfield business this morning.
Investigators have been told a man, armed with a firearm, entered the Fabio Court business and assaulted the victim about 6am.
The offender stole a quantity of cash before leaving in an unknown vehicle.
The victim, a 28-year-old Pascoe Vale man, was taken to a hospital with minor injuries.
No shots were fire during the incident.
21 July 2106 – Armed Robbery – Service Station – Kingsbury
Published July 22, 2016 | Darebin Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating an aggravated burglary which took place in Kingsbury overnight.
A silver Mazda 6 sedan, with unknown registration, drove up to the service station in Plenty Rd about 3.25am.
Three offenders got out and proceeded to smash the locked front doors of the service station using a hammer.
A fourth person remained in the driver’s seat of the car.
The staff member inside the store saw the men approaching and hid in a back room.
The offenders entered the store through the broken front door, climbed over the counter and removed numerous packets of cigarettes.
They placed the cigarettes in a white doona before returning to their car and leaving the scene.
Police have released images of three men they believe can assist with their enquiries.
20 July 2016 – Update – CCTV Released – Armed Robbery – Gaming Venue – Elsternwick
Published July 22, 2016 | Police are investigating after a man used a large knife during an armed robbery at a gaming venue in Elsternwick last month.
Armed Crime Squad detectives are investigating the armed robbery which took place at a Sandham Street gaming venue about 11.25pm on 7 June.
A man entered the venue wearing gloves, a scarf over his face and was wielding a large kitchen knife.
He approached the poker machine cashier counter and demanded the staff member hand over cash.
After the offender received an amount of cash he fled the venue.
Police have released CCTV footage of a man they wish to speak to in relation to the armed robbery.
The man was wearing a black hoodie, cream pants and dark shoes.
