Hume Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for witnesses following a carjacking, an assault and an armed robbery in Melbourne’s north on Saturday morning, Victoria Police say.
Investigators believe three men got out of a dark blue sedan and approached a parked car in a Mount Ridley Road car park in Mickleham about 2.50am.
The trio attempted to get into the car; however the two occupants refused to let them in and drove off.
It is believed the same group then approached a 22-year-old man who was arriving at work at a shopping centre on the corner of Aitken Boulevard and Grand Parade in Craigieburn about 3.25am.
Armed with knives and wooden bats, they demanded the victim’s belongings and car.
The Craigieburn man complied with their demands and handed over his personal belongings and car keys.
The thieves then jumped in his car and drove off.
Five minutes later the stolen 1998 gold Holden Commodore sedan, with registration PGJ 268, has pulled up alongside a group of people who were walking along Aitken Boulevard.
A 40-year-old woman, who was picking up her teenage daughter, was hit in the head with a wooden bat by the occupants of the Commodore who then drove away from the scene.
The Craigieburn woman was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The group is then believed to have held up a service station on Geelong Road in Brooklyn about 5am.
Three men armed with wooden bats and a knife entered the business demanding cash and cigarettes, which the staff member handed over.
The group then demanded car keys from a man who was filling up with petrol outside.
The man pleaded with the thieves not to take his car and they left in the stolen Commodore without taking anything from him.
The Commodore remains outstanding.
Investigators have released CCTV images of three men they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.
The men are believed to be aged in their late teens to early 20s.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
