Bendigo Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a 21-year-old man following a series of alleged offences in western Victoria across October and November.
Police will allege the man, of no fixed address, committed a series of armed robberies and burglaries in White Hills, Castlemaine and Epsom.
The first of the alleged offences occurred at a pharmacy in White Hills on 27 October about 4am. The store's window was smashed and the till, containing cash, was stolen.
On 5 November, police will allege the man attended a car wash in Castlemaine about 1.10am and threatened to kill a taxi driver who was washing her car.
It is alleged he threatened the woman with a crowbar, before stealing her money, mobile phone, car keys and cigarettes.
Later that morning, police will allege the man burgled a retail store in Epsom by kicking in the door. He left empty handed.
On 8 November, the man allegedly attended a laundromat in White Hills with an angle grinder and a crowbar at 10.10pm.
He allegedly attempted to cut locks on coin machines before threatening the staff member with the crowbar.
On 11 November, it is alleged the man attended a service station in Epsom about 5.20am.
The staff member preparing the store for opening told the man the store wasn't open yet, before he allegedly ran towards her with a crowbar.
He allegedly threatened her life before directing her to open tills and cigarette storage. The man allegedly stole over $1000 of cash and cigarettes.
The man was arrested today in Wodonga after a lengthy investigation, and has been charged with armed robberies, burglary, theft, make threats to kill, criminal damage and other offences.
He has been remanded in custody to appear before the Bendigo Magistrates' Court for a committal mention on 17 February.
