Armed bandit shot dead by police, two others charged after Park Orchards bottle shop holdup
TWO men have been charged for their alleged role in an attempted armed robbery at a Park Orchards shop that saw a bandit shot dead by police. WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES
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TWO men have been charged over an attempted armed robbery in which one bandit was shot dead by police.
Detectives from the armed crime squad have charged a 50-year-old Ringwood East man and a 42-year-old Mont Albert man with attempted armed robbery over Sunday night’s incident at Park Orchards.
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They faced court yesterday and will reappear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court again on April 23.
Police shot dead a man allegedly involved in the same stick-up on a bottle shop in Park Rd.
Crime Command had already been in the area as part of an armed robbery operation when the 48-year-old was shot.
Police on Sunday night shot dead a masked armed robber wielding a sawn-off shotgun after stumbling upon a bottle-shop robbery.
The 48-year-old man, who was known to police, was inside the Park Orchards bottle-shop about 9pm last night when plainclothes detectives turned up as part of an investigation into armed crime in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
Up to six shots were fired, according to one witness.
A witness said a worker ran from the shop screaming for help. “The shop owner’s son ran to my friend’s place — he was yelling ‘help, help call police’,” the witness said.
“I was told the dad [shop worker] had to check his chest for bullets after the shooting ... it was so loud,” the witness said.
The family-run bottle store is surrounded by other shops, including a petrol station and pharmacy.
There were no other reported injuries.
Park Orchards bottle-shop and green grocer owner Sean Wang returned to the bloody crime scene on Monday morning.
Holding back tears, Mr Wang said he was “a lucky man”.
“I thank Victoria Police, I so thank them,” he said.
“I thank the policeman.”
It’s understood Mr Wang was behind the counter when the terrifying incident unfolded.
His son, Kevin, ran to get help.
Sean and his son have owned the shop for three years.
He said his store has been target to burglaries “many” times.
When asked how his son was holding up, Mr Wang said: “My son is very good. He is a very good boy.”
“The incident was the result of an ongoing investigation into a series of armed robberies and is now before the Coroner so we are not in a position to comment further,” Victoria Police said in a release.
Premier Daniel Andrews described the shooting as a “very nasty incident” and said a full investigation was needed.
“I am a very strong supporter of Victoria Police and I know that their judgment in a split second is as good, perhaps better, than any police force in the world,” he said.
“They are well trained, they are well equipped. They use deadly force, lethal force, only when they have to.
“They are very much about protecting the community and isolating threats, neutralising threats as quickly as possible.”
The police member involved, a Senior Constable from a specialist unit, was not injured and is receiving departmental support.
At 11.30pm Sunday night, the deceased man remained inside the store on Park Rd awaiting the coroner who will investigate the shooting.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Ross Guenther said investigators who shot the offender had no prior knowledge of the holdup
“I think they’ve (detectives) been actively involved in the investigation, they had some knowledge of where the offenders were working,’’ he said.
“This though, from my understanding, was very opportunistic. They didn’t have previous knowledge that this premise was going to be targeted.’’
Commissioner Guenther said the detective who fired the shot was receiving support.
Police briefing at the site of a fatal shooting at Park Orchards. Dozens of police. Very out the ordinary for the usually sleepy suburb. Shooting took place at a small strip of shops, just six or seven small businesses. @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/7At82R5tlb
— Shannon Deery (@s_deery) January 28, 2018
Shooting in Park Orchards Vic 3114. 5-6 shots. Someone is not going home tonight ðŸ™@newscomauhq #parkorchardsshooting pic.twitter.com/EB1sQSpaGR
— Michael Featherston (@MikeFeathers) January 28, 2018
“The welfare of our officers is critical. I’d say he’s been very brave,” he said.
“One of the investigators has seen that person appear to withdraw a sawed-off shotgun and point it at the attendant.
“As a result, they thought the attendant’s life was endangered and took the action they did.”
Locals told the Herald Sun that the bottle shop has been the subject of numerous hold ups and that owners have taken extra precautions in recent months, including putting bars on doors and windows.
Several months ago, another incident at the bottle shop saw the local primary school go into lockdown after an armed offender stormed the store, another local said.
But another neighbour said it was usually one of the “safest suburbs” in the country.
“It’s really quiet here. This is just so surreal,” the neighbour said.
Homicide Squad detectives will investigate the incident on behalf of the Coroner.
As per standard protocol following a police shooting, Professional Standards Command members will oversee the investigation.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au
— with SHANNON DEERY, CASSIE ZERVOS and SOPHIE SMITH