By Alesha Capone
Poles and batons have been used to threaten victims in a series of street robberies in Wyndham recently.
Police are investigating an armed robbery in Tarneit last Wednesday, in which two men were confronted by a group of four to six males and threatened with a pole.
The incident follows two robberies and two armed robberies during the weekend of April 20-21 – two in Tarneit, one in Williams Landing and one in Point Cook.
Detective Sergeant Paul Gilmour said police believed the incidents could be linked.
He said the latest incident, on April 24, occurred near the intersection of Tarneit and Wickford roads, in Tarneit.
A group of four to six males, who were described as African in appearance, threatened two men with a pole and demanded their phones and other property before fleeing the scene.
Neither of the victims was injured.
Detective Sergeant Gilmour said the other robberies all followed a similar description.
He said the incidents usually took place during the evening, in residential streets.
About 7.30pm on Sunday, April 21 near Baden Powell Drive in Tarneit, a man was punched while a group stole his phone. He sustained minor injuries.
Wyndham police Inspector Marty Allison said police believed there could potentially be “two to three groups of young people” involved in the robberies.
He said extra police patrols had been activated across Wyndham.
“We’ve deployed extra resources into these areas, as a preventative measure and so hopefully people can go about their normal business,” Inspector Allison said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
