Laverton man admits to brandishing gun during armed robberies

A Laverton man has admitted to pointing a gun at a shopkeeper’s head during a drug-fuelled rampage across Melbourne’s west. Watch the CCTV footage here.

A Laverton man who pointed a gun at a shopkeeper’s head and demanded she hand over cash while in a “drug-induced rampage” has pleaded guilty in court.

Eric Cruz, 25, pleaded guilty to two counts of armed robbery, one of theft and one of possessing an imitation firearm at the Melbourne County Court on Wednesday.

The court heard the offending took place at several locations across the western suburbs on December 11, 2021.

The court heard Cruz and a co-offender pulled into The Bottle-O in Laverton in a blue Ford Laser with no registration plates about 2.20pm, walked into the store and entered the rear cool room.

Cruz picked up a 24-pack of Jim Beam premixed cans valued at $90 and a 10-pack of Smirnoff Ice Double Black cans valued at $52, while the co-offender also made a selection before they moved towards the exit.

When the store employee advised they needed to pay before leaving, and pulled on the co-offender’s t-shirt, Cruz pulled out a black handgun and pointed it at her face.

Terrifying footage showing an alleged gunman storming into a convenience store and holding a gun to the shop keeper's head. Source: Victoria Police.

He said, “I’ve got a gun” and used his right forearm and body weight to aggressively shove her to the ground.

The pair then fled, with Cruz in the driver’s seat.

About half an hour later Cruz filled the car with 45 litres of petrol, at a cost of over $65, at a Coles Express Service Station in Derrimut.

He then got back in the driver’s seat and drove off without attempting to pay.

At 4.35pm the offenders pulled up at Hillside Convenience Store.

After an initial hesitation after seeing children inside, Cruz entered the store with the firearm outstretched in his right hand.

He made a beeline for the front counter, walking past the 14 and nine-year-old, and pointed the gun at a woman behind the counter, before grabbing her by the collar.

He repeatedly demanded she hand over money while he pointed the gun at her head, as the co-offender grabbed packages of cigarettes.

The court heard it was at that point another employee heard the victim say “armed robbery” in Vietnamese and rushed out to assist.

With the gun still pointed at her head the victim opened the cash register and the offender snatched approximately $1000.

Cruz then pointed the gun at and yelled at the other woman.

Terrifying footage showing an alleged gunman storming into a convenience store and holding a gun to the shop keeper's head. Source: Victoria Police.

The court heard both women understood little English and did not understand everything that was being said.

The ordeal ended when the victim’s husband noticed the incident unfolding on the store’s CCTV cameras and activated the alarm, prompting the offenders to flee.

Cruz’s home was cleared by Victoria Police’s Special Operations Group and searched the following day.

Police found the car parked in the driveway, cans of premixed alcoholic drinks strewn across the house, an empty firearm magazine in the laundry basket, an unopened packet of cigarettes and a black handgun – later confirmed to be a gel blaster imitation firearm that was not capable of discharge.

Cruz was interviewed that day and told police he’d been on a “drug bender” but admitted to the “spontaneous” offending when presented with CCTV footage and photos.

The court heard Cruz had been in custody since that day, December 12.

Cruz’s defence said he had a short criminal history but factors that weighed in his favour included that he had cooperated with police, entered an early plea and written letters of apology to his victims.

She described how Cruz was a “born again Christian” for several years in his later teenage years and completed a lot of volunteer work at his church before his drug use intensified.

He held down a job despite his “serious drug addiction” but spiralled into the “drug-induced rampage” after a break-up.

She submitted her client was very remorseful and motivated to change and submitted a shorter sentence with a longer parole period would be in range.

Judge Frank Gucciardo adjourned the case to a date to be fixed for sentencing.