UPDATE 11.49am
Police say the shooting of a service station attendant is of “great concern” as the hunt for the offender continues.
A 40-year-old man was shot in the elbow during the attempted armed robbery at the 7-11 service station on Springvale Road and MacKay Street just before 4.30am on 8 August.
He was being treated for non-life-threatening injuries at The Alfred hospital, Inspector Michael Daly of Victoria Police said.
“Needless to say he’s extremely shook up and extremely upset by the incident.
Inspector Daly said the shooting of a weapon during the incident was a “high level of escalation by the offender”.
“Any offence involving a firearm is of great concern to us.
“They’re a danger to society, and the community can be reassured we’re doing everything we can to locate this offender.”
The front doors at the store are usually locked as a security precaution, but were opened for a waiting male customer, Inspector Daly said.
The robber seized that opportunity, pushing aside the customer and entering the store.
The attendant was mopping the floor when confronted by the robber with a hand-gun.
He was shot as he attempted to flee to the rear of the store, Inspector Daly said.
Police are exploring a link with an armed robbery at a nearby BP service station at Heatherton Road and Hosken Street 15 minutes earlier.
It was too early to ascertain if the robber was working alone, Inspector Daly said.
“Given the distance between the two addresses was approximately 1.5 kilometres and the timing about 15 minutes apart, it would be reasonable to suspect a vehicle was involved.”
Witnesses described a hand-gun being used in both incidents.
There was also matching descriptions of the offender – 180 centimetres, wearing a grey hoodie with a white logo, black trackpants and black-and-white runners.
On both occasions, a bandana covered the robber’s face.
He unsuccessfully tried to open the till at both servos, and fled empty-handed each time.
Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au.
UPDATE 10.14am
A Springvale South servo attendant has been shot as he tried to barricade himself during an armed robbery, police say.
The 40-year-old man was shot in the arm during the incident at the 7-11 service station on Springvale Road and MacKay street just before 4.30am on 8 August.
He was taken to The Alfred hospital in a stable, non-life-threatening condition.
Police believe a man armed with a gun followed a male customer into the store, approached the front counter and demanded cash.
The staff member tried to lock himself in a storeroom behind the counter when the robber fired the weapon.
The robber unsuccessfully tried to open the till, then fled on foot in a southerly direction.
He is described as 180 centimetres tall and wearing a beanie, black-and-white bandana, dark top and dark pants.
Police are investigating a possible link with an armed robbery a short time earlier at a nearby BP service station on Heatherton Road and Hosken Street.
They say an unknown male with a firearm demanded cash from the store.
He was unsuccessful and fled empty-handed.
He was described as wearing a grey-hooded jumper, dark-coloured tracksuit pants and a bandana across his face.
The police’s Armed Crime Squad is investigating the robberies.
Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au.
EARLIER
A man has been shot in the arm during an armed robbery of a 7-11 service station in Springvale South.
The man in his forties was treated by paramedics about 4.30am on 8 August, and taken to The Alfred hospital in a stable condition.
Police have cordoned off the servo on the corner of Springvale Road and MacKay Street. They are on the hunt for offenders.
Shortly before the shooting, there was an armed robbery at a BP servo on Heatherton Road and Hosken Street, Springvale South, police say.
Investigators are examining whether the two hold-ups are linked.
Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au.
