Police hunt for teens involved in James St convenience store machete hold up

Police are searching for a group of teens who allegedly held up a convenience store in the heart of Geelong with machetes.

Police are searching for a group of teens who allegedly held up a convenience store in the heart of Geelong with machetes.

Police are searching for a group of teenagers who allegedly held up a convenience store in central Geelong with machetes in full daylight.

Victoria Police investigators understand the group of unidentified males entered the James St store just before 3pm on Tuesday.

The group fled on foot after allegedly stealing lighters, as well as lollies and gum that were grabbed from the front bench of the store.

A police spokeswoman said the investigation was ongoing.

One of the store attendants, Sam, who was working at the time of the incident, said the group had their faces covered and were brandishing machetes.

The store’s front windows were smashed, which Sam said was due to the alleged offenders attempting to shut the front door with he and his colleague inside.

The pair were left shaken up, with Sam’s colleague suffering a cut on his forehead.

They said the group had been in and out of the store two or three times before returning with the knives.

The Allan government launched a nation-first ban on the sale of machetes last month in the wake of a spate of knife crime, capped by an incident at Northland Shopping Centre, in Melbourne’s north.

A video emerged last month of the teenage son of a police officer threatening a man with machete in front of Belmont Village Shopping Centre.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, has footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

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Originally published as Police hunt for teens involved in James St convenience store machete hold up