Chermside jewellery store worker hit with hammer in terrifying armed holdup

A store worker has been hit in the head with a hammer as four people stormed a jewellery store in Brisbane’s northern suburbs on Tuesday afternoon. SEE THE VIDEO

Police have released vision of a group of armed men in relation to a jewellery store robbery in Chermside on Tuesday afternoon, which left the owner in intensive care.

Four men, armed with hammers and metal bars, entered Shree Ganesh Jewellers on Gympie Road shortly after 5pm.

Store owner Bijaya Sunar, 38, was hit in his head with a hammer when he attempted to stop the masked men from entering.

Police say they smashed glass cabinets and stole a large amount of jewellery before leaving in a grey Honda CR-V station wagon with QLD registration 495ZJW.

The vehicle is believed to have been stolen from a Calamvale address on Sunday, June 8.

Mr Sunar was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a stable condition.

He has since undergone emergency brain surgery to remove a haematoma.

Vision of four men that may be able to assist police in their investigations was released on Thursday afternoon.

Police are hunting men who robbed Shree Ganesh Jewellers in Chermside. Pic: QPS

The first man is described as having a dark complexion, an athletic build and is believed to be in his late teens to early twenties. He was last seen wearing a high-vis long sleeved shirt, grey sweatpants, a green and brown cap, and a black balaclava.

The second man is described as having a dark complexion, a large build, and be over 182cm tall. He was last seen wearing a dark hooded jumper with Beverley Hills writing, black ski mask balaclava, black gloves, black Nike track pants with white Nike insignia on upper left leg.

The third man is described as having a fair complexion, a proportionate build and average height. He was last seen wearing a black hooded jumper, black balaclava and grey track pants.

The fourth man is described as having a dark complexion, solid build and be approximately 182cm tall, He was last seen wearing a dark hooded Air Jordan jumper, black ski mask balaclava, grey track pants.

Police investigations indicate the incident is linked to an armed robbery in Lutwyche on Thursday, May 8.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police. Pic: QPS

The group entered the jewellery store shortly before 1pm and smashed a number of glass cabinets before stealing a large amount of jewellery.

They then left the scene in a white Hyundai Accent Hatchback with QLD registration 801YLM. The vehicle is believed to have been stolen from a Samford Road address in Keperra on May 7.

A woman was treated for minor injuries from broken glass, however no other staff or customers were physically injured.

Detective Senior Sergeant Ken Rogers said arresting the offenders is a top priority for detectives.

“There is absolutely no place for violent crimes in Brisbane’s north,” he said.

“These offences are outrageous. We have zero tolerance for anyone who puts our community’s safety or their livelihood at risk.”

“Detectives are actively investigating this matter, including reviewing CCTV and dashcam footage, speaking with witnesses, and following several lines of inquiry.”

Police are appealing for anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage of the area in the moments leading up to or after both incidents, to contact police.

Investigations are ongoing.

Police released the CCTV from the Chermside shop. Pic: QPS

Originally published as Chermside jewellery store worker hit with hammer in terrifying armed holdup