Supermarket staff threatened and attacked by masked thugs in horror crime spree in Melbourne’s southeast

Multiple offenders are on the run after a series of armed robberies at supermarkets in Wonga Park and Chelsea Heights.

A group of masked offenders — armed with a machete and a crowbar — has threatened staff and assaulted a man during a string of armed robberies in Melbourne’s southeast on Tuesday afternoon.

Detectives from Manningham and Moorabbin Crime Investigation Units are probing a series of incidents starting in Wonga Park, moving through to Chelsea Heights.

The thieves began their crime spree at about 1pm, driving away in a black vehicle from a service station on Yarra Rd without paying for petrol.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the group then entered a supermarket on Jumping Creek Rd 20 minutes later, with officers told the offenders were armed with a machete and a crowbar.

After they threatened a staff member, the group made off with stolen cash and cigarettes before fleeing the scene in the same black vehicle.

The same offenders then arrived at an IGA on Thames Promenade in Chelsea Heights at about 2pm.

A man inside the store bravely attempted to challenge the offenders as they tried to threaten staff again, but he was assaulted and was later treated for minor injuries.

Running away with a cash register, the group fled the scene and now remain on the run.

Shop owners and staff close to the IGA were all aware of the robbery, with some telling the Herald Sun stunned customers had run into their stores to share the news.

A group of masked offenders — armed with a machete and a crowbar — threatened staff and assaulted a man during a string of robberies in Melbourne’s southeast.

A concerned Chelsea Heights local told the Herald Sun this was the second time the Thames Promenade IGA had been targeted, having been hit by a group of armed thugs a few months ago.

El Woods described hearing about Tuesday afternoon’s incident by a fellow resident, saying she was in immediate disbelief.

“It’s not the first time this has happened, it happened a few months again too,” she said.

“All I know is that a similar thing happened, a group of armed men came in, stole things then fled in a car.

“One of the cashiers was injured.”

Ms Wood said the recent robberies were extremely concerning, and questioned how

offenders had such easy access to machetes.

“I’ll admit it does make me a bit scared that things like this are happening in the area.

“It’s crazy to think that these bans are coming in on machetes yet today people still have access to them.

“Like today they had machetes, how do they still get them?”

The IGA remained boarded up on Tuesday evening, shutting its doors early in the wake of the robbery.

A witness described the frantic moments following the second robbery in Chelsea Heights, telling the Herald Sun an elderly man had tried to protect young staff members before he was punched by the offenders.

Several IGA stores were targeted by thugs on Tuesday. Picture: Instagram

Local resident Pam Lopes said she had walked into the IGA only a few seconds after the robbers had fled.

“I noticed a cap and some unusual debris on the footpath, then as I entered the shop, there was an older man sprawled on the floor who was obviously very shaken with a bleeding elbow,” Ms Lopes said.

“He was yelling about being punched.

“He was being supported by another shopper and some staff, who were looking very shocked.”

Ms Lopes asked the man what had happened, to which he said about five young, masked offenders with machetes had tried to rob the store.

She said coins and cash were strewn all over the supermarket floor.

“He was trying to protect the young cashiers but got attacked in the process,” Ms Lopes said.

“A doctor in the store tended to him and an ambulance was called.”

She added that traumatised staff members and store owner, with police arriving on scene a short time later.

“It’s shocking that this happened to our quiet little suburb, right near a primary school and so close to home,” she said.

Several IGA stores were targeted by thugs on Tuesday. Picture: Instagram

The Master Grocers Associationwhich represents thousands of independent grocery, liquor and hardware outlets, said retailers, staff and customers were facing a “terrifying reality” which was endangering lives.

The MGA has demanded an urgent and coordinated response after masked bandits wielding machetes, crowbars and swords zeroed in on family-owned businesses.

“We’ve raised the alarm repeatedly, and nothing has changed,” association CEO Martin Stirling said.

“Our retailers are not just being robbed — they’re being terrorised, powerlessly expecting to be attacked at any time. Why is this being tolerated?”

The MGA said staff were working in fear as family operators questioned whether the danger was worth the risk of staying open.

“This is not isolated. It’s part of an escalating pattern of violent, coordinated attacks targeting small businesses — and the perpetrators are becoming more brazen and aggressive with each incident,” Mr Stirling said.

He said police responded quickly but it was time to recognise the current approach was failing.

“Police are doing what they can — but they’re being left to mop up a crisis that needs political will and policy reform to address,” Mr Stirling said.

The MGA welcomed the looming Victorian machete ban but said it was “far too little, far too late.”

“It shouldn’t take public outrage after multiple attacks to prompt action,” Mr Stirling said.

“Our stores are community lifelines — and they are under constant attack. Organised attacks by thugs against innocent family businesses should send shockwaves through government.”

The association demanded immediate state and federal action, including advocating for stronger protection, increasing safety funding for small businesses, and “evidence-based interventions” to address youth crime’s causes.

“This must never be allowed to become the norm and our communities deserve better. Retailers are exhausted. Their families are terrified. It’s time for government to act — not tomorrow, not next year — but now,” Mr Stirling said.

No arrests have been made at this stage and the investigation remains ongoing.