Machete gang raids servo

CCTV of a male wanted over a Lynbrook servo holdup early on 27 November.

By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS

UPDATE 5pm

A MAN has handed himself into Cranbourne police this afternoon in relation to a servo armed robbery in Lynbrook.
The man is being interviewed by police.
The three masked accomplices captured on CCTV footage remain at large.

EARLIER

MASKED men wielding a machete and a wooden pole while they raided a Lynbrook service station have been captured on CCTV footage.
Detective Sergeant Ivan Bobetic of Dandenong Embona Taskforce said there was a “fair element of planning” in the robbery at the 7-11 servo on South Gippsland Highway about 2.40am on 27 November.
He said an unmasked man rung the bell outside the servo’s front doors and requested to be let in “to gain the trust of the person at the counter”.
When the door was opened by an attendant, three masked and armed males jumped out from a hiding place around the corner and followed the man inside.
The male armed with a machete jumped over wire screens and demand that the attendant hand over cash from the till.
The group, believed to be aged between 17 and 25, ran off with a “significant amount of cash”.
The victim was “severely traumatised” but not otherwise injured, Sgt Bobetic said.
“The threats made were significant but I’m not prepared to go into the words used.
“Thankfully, the attendant didn’t try to fight back.
“When we’re dealing with weapons that are edged and threatened with violence… thankfully no one was injured.”
Sgt Bobetic said the taskforce hadn’t ruled out linking other investigations to the incident.
“Often this type of offending can escalate.
“This is a big concern of ours and for the broader public.”
The first man, who was unmasked, was described as Caucasian, about 20 years old, 183 centimetres tall and of medium build.
He was wearing a black baseball cap with a white emblem, a black hoodie, dark T-shirt and blue jeans.
A second male, armed with a machete, was about 173 centimetres tall with a thin build and olive skin.
He wore a white T-shirt, black hoodie, dark pants, black Adidas shoes, white socks, red gloves and a white covering over his face.
A third male, wielding a pole, was Caucasian, about 163 centimetres tall and of medium build.
He wore a green hoodie with a round white logo on the front, black pants with a white stripe down the sides, black socks, white gloves and a grey face covering.
A fourth male was Caucasian with a large build.
He wore a white hoodie, black pants, black Adidas shoes, white socks, grey gloves and a black face covering.
Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to crimestoppersvic.com.au.

See CCTV footage released by police here: