Bandits with meat cleavers terrorise eastern suburbs supermarkets

MEAT cleavers and kitchen knives have been used in a series of armed robberies across Melbourne’s east over the past two months.

Starting on Monday, June 18, bandits have hit supermarkets in Vermont South, Mt Waverley and Blackburn North.

Police today released an image of a woman they want to speak to in relation to the incidents, which they say started about  11.15pm at a Burwood Highway supermarket in Vermont South.

They believe two men, one brandishing a meat cleaver and the other a large kitchen knife, demanded money from store attendants before fleeing with cash in the vehicle driven by a third offender.

The first man was described as Caucasian-looking, 182cm and wearing a light-coloured hoodie, grey pants, black sports shoes, black facial covering mask.

The second man is described as Caucasian, 187cm and wearing a dark hoodie, dark pants, black sports shoes, white facial covering mask.

A second armed robbery took place at 9.25pm on Thursday, July 5, at a Mt Waverley supermarket, when two men entered the store with meat cleavers and fleeing with cash to a waiting vehicle.

The first man is described to be tall and thin with light blue eyes and blonde hair. He was wearing a mask over his face, a black hoodie, dark pants and carrying a meat cleaver.

The second man is described as being tall, thin and wearing black clothing with a mask over his face and carrying a meat cleaver.

The third robbery occurred on Sunday, July 29, about 6.40pm at a Blackburn North supermarket.

Police allege a woman driving three men parked a stolen Subaru sedan in the loading bay on the eastern side of the carpark, near Springfield Rd.

The three men entered the store carrying a knife and meat cleavers, approached staff at tills and demanded cash.

The men fled the store with cash in the vehicle, which had allegedly been stolen from Burwood on July 26. The car was later recovered by police at 4.50am on July 30 in Box Hill.

The first man is described as 190cm and wearing a green hoodie, navy blue trade men work pants and carrying a large kitchen knife.

The second man was wearing a dark hoodie, balaclava and carrying a meat cleaver, while the third was wearing all dark clothing, a balaclava and carrying a large knife.

The woman is described as Caucasian, aged in her early 20s with wavy brown hair.