By Casey Neill
Armed burglars struck two Greater Dandenong milk bars in the space of 10 minutes, police suspect.
The Coolavin Road milk bar owner emerged from his home, at the same Noble Park address, about 7.20am on Sunday 25 September to open for the day.
As he was putting out a sandwich board he noticed two men running toward the store’s front door.
“Both looked to be in their teens with slim builds and tall,” Greater Dandenong CIU Detective Senior Constable Bree Jarvis said.
One was wearing black pants, a black T-shirt, a black cap that he pulled a hood over, and a balaclava covering his face.
He was carrying a long, silver kitchen knife and a backpack.
Det Sen Const Jarvis said the other wore black pants, a hoodie pulled up over his head, and a balaclava on his face.
“The victim saw this and locked the front door, but remained outside,” she said.
The burglars tried to push the front door open, were surprised when it was locked and ran away.
About 7.30am, a similar incident occurred at a milk bar in Dunearn Road, Dandenong North – less than two kilometres away on foot.
“It’s a possibility that they’re linked,” Det Sen Const Jarvis said.
A 37-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman were in a home at the rear of the store when they heard what they thought was a customer.
The man went into the milk bar and found two men wearing face coverings armed with knives.
“One jumped the counter. On seeing the knives, the victim retreated back into his residence and locked the door,” Det Sen Const Jarvis said.
The burglars tried to kick in the door before returning to the counter, grabbing cash and cigarettes and leaving.
Det Sen Const Jarvis urged anyone who noticed suspicious behaviour in the area between 7.15am and 7.45am to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
