SERVICE stations and fast food outlets are being targeted and staff threatened by armed robbers across the south east suburbs.
A 19-year-old Pakenham man will face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 31 January charged over burglaries at a service station in Chelsea Heights and a McDonald’s restaurant in Carrum Downs.
In the early morning raids on Tuesday 25 October, police will allege two men wearing balaclavas and dark clothing smashed their way into the Wells Rd, Chelsea Heights service station using a crowbar.
They forced a staff member to open the console door and stole cigarettes and cash before fleeing when a taxi pulled up outside.
Police believe they were driven by a third person. No one was injured in the raid.
About 50 minutes later, the same armed men are believed to have robbed the McDonald’s in Hall Rd, Carrum Downs.
They allegedly used a tyre lever to strike the attendant to the head before stealing cash from several registers and fleeing. The other men are still at large.
In another terrifyingly similar armed robbery, four offenders brandishing hammers and machetes robbed the McDonald’s at Chelsea Heights early on Friday 6 January.
Four men – three described as African and one of Asian appearance – wearing dark coloured hooded jumpers ushered staff members to the back of the store and ordered the manager to open the safe.
One robber carrying a machete demanded staff lie on the ground and face the floor.
Two offenders emptied tills at the front counter before helping the others raid the main safe near the manager’s office. They also stole the manager’s handbag containing personal belongings, keys and IDs.
The raid was possibly linked to a robbery at a Malvern BP service station the same day, police said.
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 18 January 2017
