Outnumbered, unarmed, and undeterred: Watch an elderly man take on armed thieves
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Content warning: This article contains details of alleged violent incidents.
An elderly man was reportedly kicked to the ground while trying to stop a group of armed robbers in Melbourne.
Multiple petrol stations, bottle shops and IGA stores were targeted in a spree of late-night violence.
Terrified staff and customers were allegedly threatened with machetes and crowbars.
The crime spree began about 1:00 pm on 23 July, when a black vehicle was allegedly used in a petrol drive-off at Wonga Park, roughly 33 kilometres north-east of Melbourne's CBD.
That same vehicle was then allegedly driven to a nearby IGA store, where a group of offenders reportedly stormed in wielding a crowbar and a machete.
Police alleged the group threatened a staff member before fleeing with cash and cigarettes.
Less than an hour later, the same group allegedly struck again—this time at an IGA in Chelsea Heights.
During the incident, an elderly customer tried to intervene but was allegedly pushed to the ground and kicked three times.
He sustained minor injuries, while the group escaped in the same black car.
At the time of writing, they had not been located and no arrests had been made.
Later that night—between 8:15 pm and 11:10 pm—a separate group of offenders allegedly carried out four armed robberies across Melbourne’s west.
Police said a white Audi, reported stolen, was used by a group of four males to target service stations and a Thirsty Camel bottle shop in Derrimut, Tottenham and Tarneit.
Each time, at least one edged weapon was allegedly brandished, with demands made for cigarettes, alcohol and cash.
The final robbery occurred at a bottle shop on Sunshine Road in Tottenham just before 9:00 pm.
Officers later intercepted the stolen Audi on Chatham Street in West Footscray.
Four males were arrested in connection with the western suburbs robberies.
They included a 20-year-old man from Glenroy, a 19-year-old from Wallan, an 18-year-old from Werribee and a 17-year-old boy from the Merri-bek area.
At this stage, police have not confirmed whether the incidents in the east and west of Melbourne were linked.
Anyone with information or footage has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Watch the full report below:
Source: Youtube/Nine
Communities are shaken, and many are left wondering how safe their local shops really are.
An elderly man was reportedly kicked to the ground while trying to stop a group of armed robbers in Melbourne.
Multiple petrol stations, bottle shops and IGA stores were targeted in a spree of late-night violence.
Terrified staff and customers were allegedly threatened with machetes and crowbars.
The crime spree began about 1:00 pm on 23 July, when a black vehicle was allegedly used in a petrol drive-off at Wonga Park, roughly 33 kilometres north-east of Melbourne's CBD.
That same vehicle was then allegedly driven to a nearby IGA store, where a group of offenders reportedly stormed in wielding a crowbar and a machete.
Police alleged the group threatened a staff member before fleeing with cash and cigarettes.
Alleged armed thieves strike Melbourne petrol station. Image source: Youtube/Nine
Less than an hour later, the same group allegedly struck again—this time at an IGA in Chelsea Heights.
During the incident, an elderly customer tried to intervene but was allegedly pushed to the ground and kicked three times.
He sustained minor injuries, while the group escaped in the same black car.
At the time of writing, they had not been located and no arrests had been made.
Later that night—between 8:15 pm and 11:10 pm—a separate group of offenders allegedly carried out four armed robberies across Melbourne’s west.
Police said a white Audi, reported stolen, was used by a group of four males to target service stations and a Thirsty Camel bottle shop in Derrimut, Tottenham and Tarneit.
Each time, at least one edged weapon was allegedly brandished, with demands made for cigarettes, alcohol and cash.
The final robbery occurred at a bottle shop on Sunshine Road in Tottenham just before 9:00 pm.
Officers later intercepted the stolen Audi on Chatham Street in West Footscray.
Four males were arrested in connection with the western suburbs robberies.
They included a 20-year-old man from Glenroy, a 19-year-old from Wallan, an 18-year-old from Werribee and a 17-year-old boy from the Merri-bek area.
At this stage, police have not confirmed whether the incidents in the east and west of Melbourne were linked.
Anyone with information or footage has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Watch the full report below:
Source: Youtube/Nine
Communities are shaken, and many are left wondering how safe their local shops really are.
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