Detectives from Frankston Embona Taskforce are investigating a series of armed robberies which have taken place in Melbourne’s south eastern suburbs, Victoria Police say.
The armed robberies took place in Dandenong South, Braeside, Carrum Downs, Frankston and Baxter between 10 and 20 June.
The first incident occurred just after 11am on 10 June at a café on Abbotts Road in Dandenong South.
A male has parked a Nissan Navara ute with false numberplates at the rear of the shop, then entered the café armed with a knife and hammer.
The man then made demands for cash and cigarettes and was given quantities of both.
He then left the premises and the vehicle was sighted travelling east towards the South Gippsland Highway.
At the time of the incident the man was wearing a black mask and a hooded jumper.
The second incident occurred at a foot outlet on Industrial Drive, Braeside about 5.15am on 14 June.
A man entered the store armed with a knife and tyre lever, threatening staff members and demanding cash.
He also demanded access to an ATM, which staff members weren’t able to provide, so he kicked it several times.
He then left with a quantity of cash and got into a silver coloured 4x4 ute.
The man has been described as being about 168cm tall with a thin build.
At the time he was wearing a black balaclava, black hooded jumper and light coloured jeans.
The third incident occurred about 9am on 18 June at a store on Lathams Road, Carrum Downs.
A man entered the store armed with a knife and made demands for cash.
Staff handed over a quantity of money and the man then smashed a glass display and stole two PENN surf fishing reels, valued at about $800 each.
The man was then seen to drive away in a silver Nissan Navara ute.
The fourth incident occurred about 5.45pm on 19 June at a store on Beach Street, Frankston.
A man entered the store armed with a bar and made demands for cash.
He then tore a till off the bench, ripping plug from it’s wall socket.
The man then left in a silver Nissan Navara ute.
He has been described as wearing dark clothing at the time of the incident.
The fifth incident occurred just after 6.40pm on 20 June at a supermarket on the Baxter-Tooradin Road in Baxter.
A man has parked a silver Nissan Navara ute in a disabled car space outside the supermarket and then entered the store carrying a knife and a duffle bag.
A approached a staff member at the express lanes and made a demand for cash.
After being given a quantity of money, he drove away in the vehicle.
No one was physically injured during any of the incidents.
Investigators have released CCTV from the Frankston incident and an image of the vehicle from the Carrum Downs incident.
They believe the same vehicle was used in each of the incidents, a silver Nissan Navara ute with stolen number plates ZVA 874.
Anyone who witnessed the incidents or with any information about the series is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
