Friday, November 8, 2024

Hunt for knife-wielding teens after series of supermarket attacks

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Police are hunting a group of knife-wielding teens following a string of supermarket robberies across several suburbs in Melbourne’s south-east.

The alleged attacks took place in Cheltenham, Brighton, Mount Waverley and Camberwell yesterday, leaving several staff with injuries, police said.

CCTV obtained by 9News shows a group of boys wearing balaclavas storming a supermarket on Bernard Street in Cheltenham at 4pm yesterday.

Police are hunting a group of knife-wielding teens following a string of supermarket robberies several suburbs Melbourne’s south-east. (Nine)

In the footage, the offenders can be seen jumping the counter before punching the cashier in the face and demanding access to the cigarette cabinet.

Police said the group managed to flee with cash and cigarettes in a white Mercedes hatchback. 

The 19-year-old staff member sustained minor injuries, police said. 

A vehicle matching that description was also used in a robbery at a store on Cochrane Street in Brighton moments later.

Officers were told the boys demanded cash and cigarettes before allegedly assaulting three employees.

All three employees were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

The trio fled the scene in the white Mercedes, believed to be driven by a fourth suspect.

A third supermarket on Andrew Street in Mount Waverley was ransacked just after 6pm.

The teens allegedly made off with cash and cigarettes after targetting four stores
The teens allegedly made off with cash and cigarettes after targetting four stores (Nine)

Investigators believe three teens produced a knife and fled the scene with cigarettes again in the white Mercedes.

They then allegedly struck another supermarket on Through Road in Camberwell just before 6.30pm.

The offenders again produced a knife and fled the scene before taking off with cash and cigarettes.

Detective inspector Scott Dwyer confirmed the Mercedes was stolen in “a non-confrontational” incident at a Doncaster East home on June 7.

Dwyer said police believe the offenders to be aged between 14 and 17 and to be of different nationalities.

Although the Mercedes and suspects remain at large, Dwyer said he was confident “multiple arrests would be made”.

”Our methodology in targeting youth crime has been able to allow us to make these arrests,” Dwyer said today.

“We know them, we know who they hang out with, that sort of intelligence allows us not only who we are targeting but that arrests will be made. “

Anyone who witnessed the incidents, with dashcam/CCTV or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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