Canterbury jewellery store targeted in daylight robbery
THREE robbers armed with machetes and hammers have smashed their way into a Canterbury jewellery store just 10 weeks after it was the target of a similar attack.
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THREE robbers armed with machetes and hammers have stormed a Canterbury jewellery store just 10 weeks after it was the target of a similar attack.
The men used the weapons to smash open cabinets at the high-end Holloway Diamonds on Canterbury Rd.
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Detective Insp Anthony Cecchin said at least three offenders smashed there way into the store at about 12.20pm this afternoon.
“At this stage we have hoodies, masks and one of the offenders is believed to be of African appearance,” Insp Cecchin said.
The value of the jewellery stolen from the display cabinets is not known, however it is believed to be a significant quantity.
The store owner and a number of staff members were inside at the time of the robbery.
“Fortunately there were no injuries, but you can’t put an estimate on the psychological trauma that’s been experienced by these people,” Insp Cecchin said.
Police believe the offenders are travelling in a blue Subaru station wagon stolen from Truganina on March 19, registration 1IC 4SG.
Despite the fact that two arrest were made over a January robbery at the same store, Insp Cecchin said links would be explored.
BREAKING: Holloway Diamonds jewellery store in Canterbury has been targeted in yet another brazen robbery. More to come. @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/3YKhSqrJES
— Chanel Kinniburgh (@ChanelKinni) March 24, 2017
A local business owner, who asked not to be named, said she saw three men in ski masks and a driver pulled up outside the store.
“I saw them carrying a small tomahawk axe,” she said.
“It looked like something that could easily break glass.”
The woman said she heard smashing and screaming and immediately ran to a close-by house with secure gates.
“They’re opportunist who think once it’s all settled they can come back and do it all over again,” she said.
The shop was previously targeted in a terrifying armed robbery on January 12, when three masked men armed with a tomahawk and sledgehammer stormed the business, smashing their way through the front door.
A “significant amount of jewellery” was taken from glass display cabinet before the offenders fled within seconds. Two teens were charged over the attack.
Jewellery stores in Toorak, Epping, Elsternwick and Melbourne CBD have also been targeted in the past 12 months.
IMP Jewellery owner Tony Fialides, whose Toorak outlet was twice robbed within three months, said the heists were leaving store owners on edge.
“I know some of the people have literally walked out of their businesses,’’ Mr Fialides said.
“They’ve had a gut full over the crime issue.
“It’s just an absolute disgrace.”
Mr Fialides said the spate of jewellery thefts was indicative of Victoria’s broader crime problem.
“Really all it does is confirm our lack of faith in the government and obviously the justice system,’ ‘Mr Fialides said.
“I don’t think you can have a copper outside every jewellery shop.
“But we think there should just be a stronger police presence.
“It’s the same old deja vu.
“How can you have any confidence in a system that is letting these people run riot and then a few days later when they’re caught they are out again”
“They do it because they are allowed to do it.”
Anyone with information over today’s incident should contact Crime Stoppers via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au