Police officer fires shot at stolen car in Dandenong
A TRIO of bumbling thieves who were shot at by a police officer during a dangerous pursuit in Dandenong left belongings, including credit cards, behind during a bungled theft, a brave shopkeeper says.
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A BRAVE shopkeeper has bravely defended his Dandenong North liquor store from bungling armed thieves who left their belongings behind after stealing alcohol.
The hammer and knife-wielding thieves then turned on another business owner, before leading police on a car chase in Dandenong last night.
The pursuit of the young men and woman became so dangerous that officers say they were forced to fire a gun in defence.
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The owner of North Dandy Liquor Store, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisals, said the attack was frightening but robberies of liquor stores were so commonplace that last night’s incident was almost expected.
His Dunearn Rd shop had been targeted in the past.
“I’m more angry,” the owner told the Herald Sun. “They’re young kids and they don’t want to work, they just want to steal.
“It doesn’t make sense why they don’t want to work — they have hands and legs.”
The man said the two male offenders had initially stolen a 10-pack of Woodstock drinks around 4.30pm but returned when they realised they’d left belongings including credit cards behind.
The quick-thinking shopkeeper locked the door and refused to let them back in, prompting the young men to argue with him before smashing a window with the weapons.
They then turned on a pharmacist who came outside to investigate.
“They came back, smashed windows with the knife and hammer, (while) the girl was in the car (out the front),” the man said.
“The fat one (offender) just attacked him (the pharmacist), in the head. There was a lot of blood.”
The offenders then fled in a stolen Nissan Pulsar, Leading Senior Constable Kendra Jackson said.
“It’s believed the Nissan was stolen from Clow St, Dandenong, sometime between June 5 and 6,” she said.
Victoria Police said an officer fired at the getaway car on a service lane of the Princes Hwy, near David St, after the offenders tried to drive at them.
“Officers approached the vehicle before the driver reversed and collided into two parked vehicles and accelerated towards police,” Sen-Constable Jackson said.
“The officer fired one shot at the vehicle before the driver fled onto Gwenda St.”
The car was found dumped on Gwenda St shortly after 7.15pm and about an hour later police arrested a man, aged 18, was arrested at the Dandenong Railway Station.
A Heatherton man was charged with theft of motor vehicle and theft.
He was bailed to appear at the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on August 1.
Professional Standards Command will oversee the investigation as per standard protocol when a firearm has been discharged by a member.
No police members were injured during the incident and Greater Dandenong Crime Investigation Unit detectives continue to search for the man and woman.
Detectives appeal for anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.