Man tries to rob Lucky Square Lotto at Ringwood Square Shopping Centre

A man who tried to steal money from a Tattslotto kiosk at a shopping centre in Melbourne’s outer east may have also targeted other nearby stores, but ultimately fled empty-handed.

A man tried to rob a Tattslotto kiosk at Ringwood Square Shopping Centre today. Picture: James Ross

A man is on the run after trying to steal money from a Tattslotto kiosk at Ringwood Square Shopping Centre today.

It is believed a man went to the Lucky Square Lotto kiosk about noon and demanded money, but fled after workers refused to hand it over.

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He may have also targeted other shops in the centre.

Police spent this afternoon at the scene dusting for fingerprints.

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A witness, who declined to be named, told Maroondah Leader he saw a white ute run a red light on Maroondah Highway near The Coach hotel and the shopping centre around the time of the incident.

The witness said the ute driver “floored it” and five undercover police cars put on their lights and pursued the car towards Heatherdale Rd.

The witness arrived at Ringwood Square about 10 minutes later and saw police taking photos and using torches at the kiosk with a security guard also nearby.

The shopping centre has previously been plagued by safety concerns, with Leader reporting in July last year that security was boosted after a shopper was allegedly king-hit outside Coles and a security guard was allegedly attacked at the Lucky Square Lotto kiosk.

A person at Lucky Square Lotto did not want to speak about the incident, and Ringwood Square spokeswoman Nicole McCluskey also declined to comment.