Police are investigating two armed robberies at separate service stations in Melbourne’s north this morning, Victoria Police say.
Investigators have been told four masked offenders armed with hammers attended a service station on the corner of Wood Street and Dalton Road, Thomastown about 4.45am.
They smashed their way into the store, where the attendant managed to lock himself in a back room.
The offenders, perceived to be African in appearance, stole a significant amount of cigarettes before fleeing in a silver SUV.
No injuries were reported.
Around the same time, two masked offenders armed with hammers and a knife entered a store on the corner of Dalton Road and Keon Parade, Keon Park.
The pair jumped the counter and demanded the store attendant open the register.
Four other offenders then entered the store and stole an amount of cigarettes.
The victim was struck to the face during the ordeal but did not sustain injuries.
The group, also perceived to be of African appearance, fled with the cigarettes and cash in what is believed to have been a black sedan.
Police are working to establish whether the two incidents are linked and are appealing for anyone with information or who witnessed the events to contact Crime Stoppers.
