5 March 2013 – 3 Ram Raids – ATM’s – Melbourne SE
Published March 7, 2013 | 
Police are appealing for witnesses following three separate ram raids in Melbourne’s south east early this morning.
Investigators believe four offenders used an alleged stolen blue Nissan Patrol in the linked raids within a three hour period.
The first ram raid occurred at a service station on Pakenham Road in Pakenham Upper around midnight, where the offenders drove the vehicle into the store and stole confectionary.
The second incident occurred at a service station on Lysterfield Road in Lysterfield, when the vehicle was reversed into the front doors of the premises around 12.30am.
It is alleged the offenders, all wearing balaclavas, placed a rope around the ATM machine, attached it to the vehicle and attempted to pull it from the store when the rope broke.
The thieves then stole chocolates and drinks before fleeing the scene.
The third incident occurred at a service station on the Warburton Highway in Woori Yallock around 1.25am where the vehicle was reversed into the front entrance of the store.
The offenders were again unsuccessful whilst trying to remove the ATM from the premises and stole a quantity of cigarettes.
Emergency services were called to a car fire on Treloar Reserve at the corner of Bailey and Pakenham Road in Cockatoo just before 3am and located a burnt out blue Nissan Patrol.
Investigators believe the same blue Nissan Patrol was also used in a petrol drive off at a service station on Pakenham Road in Pakenham Upper just after 7pm last night.
Detectives from Cardinia Crime Investigation Unit are investigating and would like to hear from anyone that may have seen the blue Nissan Patrol in the area.
4 March 2013 – Armed Robbery – Retail Store – Melton
Published March 7, 2013 | Armed Crime Task Force detectives are appealing for witnesses after an armed robbery at a retail store in Melton last week.
Investigators have been told two staff members were closing the Wallace Square store about 5.10pm on Thursday 28 February when one of them was crash tackled to the ground by a masked offender.
The man then threatened the 39-year-old man with a knife and cable tied his wrists and ankles behind his back.
He was assaulted with a TV monitor, kicked to the head and then bashed with a baseball bat which was taken from within the store.
The man then cable tied the other employee, a 41-year-old man.
The offender stole a significant amount of cash, jewellery and the victim’s mobile phones and car keys.
He then fled through the rear door and stole one of the victim’s cars.
The two victims suffered minor injuries and were treated by paramedics at the scene.
The offender was wearing a blue bandana that covered his face during the incident.
Police are calling for witnesses and in particular would like to speak to anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspicious in Wallace Square shopping complex around 5pm on the day of the incident.
1 March 2013 – Fraud – Viking Group of Companies – Glen Waverley
Published March 7, 2013 | Fraud and Extortion detectives have arrested a woman in relation to an investigation into the collapse of the Viking Group of Companies.
A 51-year-old woman from Glen Waverley was interviewed and charged yesterday with the following offences:
• Obtaining a financial advantage by deception ($12.15 million)
• Obtaining a financial advantage by deception ($17.4 million)
• Obtaining a financial advantage by deception ($4 million)
• Attempting to obtain a financial advantage by deception ($53 million).
She has been bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on 4 March 2013.
The investigation remains ongoing.
28 February 2013 – Armed Robberies – Bottle Shop/Service Station – Taylors Lakes/Albion
Published March 1, 2013 | Police are investigating two armed robberies which are believed to have been committed by the same offender in Taylors Lakes and Albion.
Investigators have been told that on 8 February a man armed with a knife entered a bottle shop on the Melton Highway at Taylors Lakes at 9.45pm.
He threatened the attendant and told him to open the till.
Another employee entered the counter area and the offender ran off.
The offender is described as Caucasian, 20-30 years old and 175 centimetres tall with a thin build.
At the time of the offence he was wearing a black Everlast jumper, dark jeans, white sunglasses and white shoes.
The second incident occurred at a service station on Ballarat Road in Albion on 20 February at 1.30am.
A man walked into the store and threatened the attendant with a handgun.
The attendant was forced to hand over cash before the man left the store and headed down Marylands Street.
On this occasion the offender was described as Caucasian, 172 centimetres tall with build and short dark hair.
He was wearing a black hat, grey track top, grey pants and white shoes.
Police have released images of a man that they believe may be able to assist with their investigation.
27 February 2013 – Appeal – Armed Robbery – Service Station – Deer Park
Published March 1, 2013 | Detectives from Keilor Downs Embona are appealing for public assistance following an armed robbery at a service station in Deer Park.
Police have been told a man entered the business on the corner of Ballarat Road and Robinsons Road around 12.30am on Friday 15 February wearing a pair of underpants on his head.
The man approached the counter, produced a knife and made a demand for cash.
The staff member handed over a quantity of money before the offender threatened a customer and stole his wallet.
Investigators have been told that the man then left the store and was last seen heading north on Robinsons Road.
Fortunately no one was injured during the incident and the man is perceived to be of African appearance.
At the time of the offence he was wearing a light blue jumper, black pants with stripes, camel coloured shoes with black laces and a pair of black underpants.
Police have released an image of a man that they believe may be able to assist with their investigation.
22 February 2013 – Charges Laid – 5 Armed Robberies – Eastern Suburbs
Published March 1, 2013 | Box Hill Embona Taskforce Investigators have charged a 38-year-old Glen Iris man on Saturday 16 February with five armed robberies allegedly committed across the eastern suburbs during January and February.
The armed robberies occurred at Mitcham, Mount Waverley, Glen Waverley and Heathmont.
Gatha Somasundaram was charged with four counts of armed robbery, one count of attempted armed robbery, three counts of theft and a number of traffic offences.
He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 18 February.
Somasundaram did not apply for bail and will re-appear at the same court on 23 April, 2013.
20 February 2013 – Armed Robbery – BP Service Station – West Beach
Published February 22, 2013 | Police are investigating an attempt aggravated robbery at the BP service station on the corner of Burbridge and Military Roads, West Beach overnight.
Just after 11pm, a man with a white mask on his face and wearing gloves jumped the counter and demanded that the staff member open the till.
The staff member ran out of the store leaving the offender behind.
He was unable to open the till and then fled on foot across Burbridge Road heading south towards nearby flats.
The offender who is described as Caucasian was wearing a black jumper and jeans.
– See more at: http://www.sapolicenews.com.au/more-news/12597-masked-mans-attempt-to-rob-west-beach-service-station.html#sthash.oLhYXdYg.dpuf
21 February 2013 – Armed Robbery – Street – West Heidelberg
Published February 22, 2013 | Banyule Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance following an armed robbery during which a man was stabbed in West Heidelberg on 7 February.
Police have been told the victim, a 45-year-old South Morang man, was sitting in his silver Holden Rodeo Ute in Achilles Street around 5.40am.
Another man has approached his car and opened its front door and demanded the victim hand over his wallet.
After handing over the wallet, a struggle occurred during which the victim was assaulted and stabbed in the leg with an unknown object.
The victim was able to push the man out of his car and drive from the area.
He later received treatment at the Austin hospital for his injuries.
The man is perceived to be of Caucasian appearance, around 45 to 50 years old, around 183cm tall, unshaven with patchy facial hair, cracked and tarnished front teeth.
He was wearing a dark blue or black tracksuit top with a red stripe across the chest and a zip and a dark coloured beanie.
Investigators have released a FACE image of a man they believe can assist with their enquiries.
18 February 2013 – Armed Robbery – Car Rental Store – Sale
Published February 22, 2013 | Wellington Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance following an armed robbery at a car rentals store in Sale over the weekend.
Police have been told a man entered the business on the corner of Macarthur and York streets about 10.05am on Saturday 16 February and approached the counter.
The man then produced a knife and made a demand for cash.
The staff member handed over a quantity of money before the offender fled on foot.
No one was injured during the incident.
The man is described as being aged on his 20s, approximately 170cm tall with a medium build.
He is perceived to be of Aboriginal appearance.
The offender was wearing a black shirt, black jeans, white runners with bright red shoe laces, a camouflage coloured baseball cap and dark sunglasses.
10 February 2013 – Armed Robberies – Service Stations – Melb NW
Published February 15, 2013 | Police are investigating a series of armed robberies committed at service stations across Melbourne’s north-west.
A total of five service stations have been hit in Sunbury, Woodend and Sydenham over the past fortnight.
Fawkner Embona Taskforce detectives are investigating and believe the same offender may be behind all five armed robberies.
In each hold-up the offender has been armed with a knife and escaped with a small amount of cash.
– The first offence occurred at a Horne Street service station in Sunbury shortly before 1am on Sunday, 27 January.
– The second offence occurred at Gap Road service station in Sunbury about 5.45am on Sunday, 27 January. This was the only armed robbery where there were two offenders.
– The third offence occurred at a High Street service station in Woodend about 11.15pm on Wednesday, 30 January.
– The fourth offence occurred at a service station on the corner of Nelson Highway and Overton Lea Boulevard in Sydenham about 1.05am on Saturday, 2 February.
– The fifth offence occurred when the Gap Road, Sunbury, service station was struck again just after 3.30am on Friday, 8 February.
Investigators have released a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to in relation to the incidents.
