Melbourne CBD jewellery store robbed in sledgehammer smash and grab
ROBBERS have targeted two Melbourne jewellery stores in separate smash and grabs yesterday afternoon.
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ROBBERS have targeted two Melbourne jewellery stores in separate attacks yesterday afternoon.
Robbers used sledgehammers in a daylight smash and grab attack at a Melbourne CBD jewellery store.
They snatched watches and jewellery before fleeing in a getaway car.
Police spokesman Senior Constable Adam West said the robbery at the Russell St store allegedly happened about 4.30pm on Thursday with at least three offenders armed with sledgehammers and other hammers.
The Herald Sun understands the shop was a Citizen watch repair centre on Russell St between Bourke and Little Collins Streets.
“They smashed cabinets and stole watches and jewellery. They fled the store, got into a vehicle and drove off,” Snr Cnst West said.
The investigation was ongoing.
Witnesses took to social media, posting a photo of the aftermath showing a smashed shop window with watches strewn with shards of glass.
The man told the Herald Sun he saw youths with their faces covered “urgently bang” on a car to be let in.
The man, who asked not to be named, said he had been walking along Russell St when a small car with dark tinted glass pulled up suddenly.
“A tall black youth with the bottom half of his face covered ran up to it and banged on the rear passenger door to either stop the car or indicate he wanted the door unlocked. The youth got in and the car moved off quickly.”
The witness approached the shopkeeper to tell him what he had seen on the street.
“He told me he was on the phone and the youth smashed the glass with a hammer and took watches.”
In a separate incident two teenagers have been arrested after yet another aggravated burglary in Melbourne’s north.
A third man is still on the run.
The three thieves entered the Coburg jewellery store on Sydney Road about 6pm last night and stole jewellery from display cases.
An 18-year old Cairnlea man and a 19-year-old Derrmut man were detained by passers-by as they tried to leave the store.
Moreland detectives have charged the two men with armed robbery, aggravated burglary and theft.
They will appear in court this morning.
Investigators are still searching for the third offender.