4 February 2013 – Armed Robbery – Service Station – Woodend
Published February 8, 2013 | 
Macedon Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance following an armed robbery at a service station in Woodend last week.
Police have been told a man entered the business on High Street around 11.15pm on Wednesday, 30 January and approached the counter.
He then produced a knife and made a demand for cash.
The staff member handed over a quantity of money before the man ripped the lead out of the telephone and left the store on foot.
No other people or vehicles were sighted during the incident and the attendant was uninjured.
The man is described as being around 30 years old, 175cm tall with a stocky build and carrying a bit of fat, perceived to be of Caucasian appearance with a round face, and dark hair and eyelashes.
At the time of the incident he was wearing a black hooded jacket and khaki pants.
Investigators have released CCTV of a man they would like to speak to in relation to this incident.
They are also keen to speak with anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity in the area at the time.
31 January 2013 – Update – Armed Robbery – Firearms Store – Corio
Published January 31, 2013 | Armed Crime Taskforce detectives are today appealing for fresh information following an aggravated burglary at a licensed firearms dealer in Corio on New Year’s Day.
Investigators have been told a 58-year-old man was at his Matthews Road property when he answered a knock at his door about 1.30am on Tuesday 1 January, 2013.
Two men, armed with firearms and wearing balaclavas, forced their way into the property and struck the victim to the head.
The offenders then dragged the Corio man to the garage where they stole up to 20 firearms from a safe and packed them into a green-coloured canvass bag before fleeing in a black Holden Commodore sedan with silver wheels.
The vehicle was last seen travelling towards the Cox Road roundabout and over the Anakie Road overpass.
Police believe the vehicle was parked outside the victim’s address during the incident.
The victim was treated for minor facial injuries.
One of the offenders is described as being approximately 193cm tall and muscular build.
He was wearing black gloves and blue jeans.
The second offender is described as being approximately 172cm tall with blue eyes and a black moustache.
He was wearing gloves and was armed with a sawn off shot gun.
28 January 2013 – Charges Laid – Armed Robbery – Gaming Venue – Croydon
Published January 31, 2013 | Armed Crime Task Force detectives have today charged a second man following an armed robbery in Croydon earlier this month.
The armed robbery is alleged to have occurred at a gaming venue in Dorset Road on 8 January.
A 20-year-old Roxburgh Park man was arrested that day and charged with armed robbery and other offences.
He was remanded in custody to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court at a later date.
A second man, also a 20-year-old from Roxburgh Park, was today charged with armed robbery, conduct endangering life, assault police, theft of motor vehicle and other offences.
He appeared at an out-of-sessions court hearing and was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.
23 January 2013 – Charges Laid – 8 Armed Robberies – SE Melb Suburbs
Published January 25, 2013 | Detectives from Knox Crime Investigation Unit have charged a man following eight armed robberies in the south eastern suburbs of Melbourne dating back to October 2012.
The armed robberies are alleged to have occurred in Narre Warren, Carrum Downs, Ferntree Gully, Rowville, Mount Waverley and Ringwood.
The 34-year-old Narre Warren North man has also been charged in relation to an attempted armed robbery in Caulfield East.
He will face Melbourne Magistrate’s Court this afternoon for a filing hearing.
8 January 2013 – Armed Robbery – Gaming Venue – Croydon
Published January 11, 2013 | Police are currently in Croydon searching for a man who reportedly may be armed, following an armed robbery on a gaming venue on Dorset Road, Croydon just before 10am.
The Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT), Special Operations Group, dog squad, local police and the air wing are in the vicinity of Currong Grove following the report that a man, believed armed with a firearm, is in the area.
Mount Dandenong Road is blocked to traffic and diversions are in place while police respond to the incident. People are urged to avoid the area and remain in doors.
Police currently have one man in custody and they are continuing the search for the second man who is described as wearing a white hooded top.
Police urge anyone who sights the man or someone matching his description to not approach him and call triple zero (000) immediately.
7 January 2013 – Armed Robbery – Supermarket – Fern Tree Gully
Published January 11, 2013 | Detectives at Knox Criminal Investigation Unit are appealing for witnesses following an armed robbery at a supermarket in Ferntree Gully on Friday.
Police have been told a man entered the supermarket on Burwood Highway just after 9.30pm.
It is believed the man approached an attendant and produced a knife before demanding cash from the register.
The attendant handed over a significant amount of cash and the bandit fled the scene in a vehicle.
The offender is described as being Caucasian in appearance, aged 30 to 35-years-old, unshaven with a medium build.
He was last seen wearing a blue peaked cap, sunglasses, a long sleeved jacket, shorts and runners.
Detectives have released an image of a man that may assist with their enquiries.
6 January 2013 – Update – 8 Arrests – Armed Robberies- Gaming Venues and PO’s – SE Suburbs
Published January 11, 2013 | Armed Crime Task Force detectives have this morning arrested eight men as part of an investigation into a series of alleged armed robberies at gaming venues and post offices in the south eastern suburbs.
Investigators, with the assistance of the Special Operations Group, arrested the men on Springvale Road in Springvale just after 3.30am.
All of the men are currently assisting police with their enquiries.
The arrests relate to alleged armed robberies at gaming venues and post offices in Clayton, Keysborough and Braeside over the past two months.
4 January 2013 – Armed Robberies – Convenience Stores – Geelong
Published January 11, 2013 | Geelong Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for information after armed robberies at two convenience stores in Geelong this year.
Investigators have been told that a man entered a convenience store on Separation Street, North Geelong around 1.05am on 1 January.
The man went to the service counter and bought a can of drink.
When the register was opened the man produced a large kitchen knife and threatened the attendant with it, demanding money from the till.
After removing notes from the cash draw the man left the store on foot.
No one was injured during the incident.
The man is described as Caucasian, approximately 25-30 years old with a thin build.
He was wearing a black and white hooded top, dark pants and a black fedora style hat at the time of the incident.
Investigators also believe that the man may have tattoos on his left arm.
Detectives believe this incident and a later armed robbery at a convenience store in Belmont on 3 January are linked.
Investigators have been told that a man entered the store on Settlement Road, Belmont just after 3.20am yesterday morning.
The man went to the counter to buy a can of drink, produced a knife and made demands for cash.
After removing notes from the till the man left the store on foot and was last seen headed north on Settlement Road.
No one was injured during the incident.
The man is described as Caucasian, approximately 25-30 years old with a thin build.
He was wearing a long black wig underneath a white cap with a black peak, blue and orange fluoro top, beige pants and white shoes.
Police have released an image of a man from the first incident on Separation Street they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries
4 January 2013 – Armed Robbery – Convenience Store – Noble Park
Published January 11, 2013 | Police are appealing for public assistance to help identify a teenage boy and girl who attempted to rob a convenience store in Noble Park last month.
Detectives from Dandenong Embona are investigating the incident, which occurred on Monday, 10 December.
The pair entered the store on Heatherton Road and approached the counter before making demands for cigarettes around 1.30am.
The man allegedly produced a knife and threatened the attendant.
The attendant locked himself in the office and the pair fled the store empty handed.
They were last seen running west on Heatherton Road.
The male offender is described as being aged in his teens, Caucasian in appearance, 155cm tall with a medium build.
He was wearing a black hooded top with blue pants.
The female offender is also aged in her teens, 180cm tall with a medium build.
She was wearing a grey hooded top with grey pants.
Police have released images of a teenage boy and girl who may assist with their enquiries.
12 December 2012 – 2450 Weapons Handed in with Statewide Amnesty
Published December 14, 2012 | Almost 2500 weapons, including double-edged knives, machetes, high-powered rifles, homemade handguns and daggers are now off Victoria’s streets, after the community handed them into police over the past two months during a state-wide amnesty.
The unwanted or illegal firearms and weapons have been surrendered across the state, including 164 in Bendigo, 87 in Warrnambool, 65 in Frankston and 58 in Warragul.
The weapons will now be destroyed.
Licensing and Regulation Division Superintendent Russell Barrett said Victoria Police was pleased with the response to the amnesty.
“It’s a good result for Victoria Police and the community as a whole – 2450 less weapons on our streets and no chance of them ever being used again.
“Whether it was a forgotten firearm in the shed or a handmade knife, they are no longer in our community.
“We thank those members of the public who took advantage of the amnesty to hand them in to police.”
The two-month amnesty was the first to be held in Victoria since April 2010.
The penalty for carrying an illegal weapon is up to two years imprisonment, or up to 10 years for firearms offences.
Top 10 areas Town Total items surrendered 1 October – 30 November Bendigo 164 Warrnambool 87 Frankston 65 Warragul 58 Ringwood 55 Rosebud 55 Shepparton 55 Croydon 54 Lilydale 54 Wangaratta 52
