Four charged after Michael Hill jewellery store robbery

FOUR men have been charged after an armed robbery at a jewellery store in Melbourne’s north.

FOUR men have been charged after an armed robbery at a jewellery store in Melbourne’s north.

Horrified shoppers watched on as the brazen thieves allegedly smashed their way into the Micheal Hill jewellery store at the Plenty Valley Westfield, in Mill Park, on Tuesday.

Police charged four men with offences relating to the robbery in Mill Park and the theft of a black BMW SUV that was allegedly used to flee the scene.

Quick-thinking Herald Sun reader David snapped the moment the thieves dashed past him and ran through the shopping centre.

David took this photo seconds after the brazen burglary. Two men in black carrying bags can be seen dashing for the exit.

He said they ran to a black BMW waiting at the entrance to the shopping centre, about 40m from the jewellery store and one lost their mask as they fled.

Victoria Police spokeswoman Hannah McDonald said later that day officers later recovered a black BMW abandoned at the intersection of Plenty Road and Clune Street in Kingsbury.

“Investigators have been told four people wearing balaclavas and armed with hammers entered a jewellery store in a shopping centre on McDonalds Road about 11.45am,” she said.

“The group smashed display cases and stole jewellery before fleeing the store on foot.”

The bandits make a run for it.

Armed robbery at South Morang jeweller. Shoppers left terrified @7NewsMelbourne pic.twitter.com/niX5GxaLQS

— CameronBaud7 (@CameronBaud7) March 14, 2017

PIC taken seconds after 4 men smashed Michael Hill Jeweller in Mill Park - shopkeepers thought someone was firing shots.@9NewsMelb pic.twitter.com/v8LRea8bU1

— Alexis Daish (@LexiDaish) March 14, 2017

A 27-year-old from Lalor was charged with stealing a vehicle and handling stolen goods. He was bailed to appear at Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on August 4.

A 25-year-old from Stawell was charged over the armed robbery and remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on June 8.

A 21-year-old from Craigieburn was charged with motor theft and other offences and remanded to appear at Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on April 13.

A 19-year-old, also from Craigieburn, was charged with motor theft and driving offences and was bailed to appear at Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on June 28.

Police are still looking for a fifth man in relation to the robbery and have appealed to anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersvic.com.au