By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
POLICE have taken CCTV footage from the Cranbourne Newsagency on High Street after a man wielding a machete stormed the store, stealing cash on Monday 5 October.
Fleeing the premises on foot about 6.20am, the man got away with an amount of money from the register.
Staff member of five years Eric Chong said it was shocking news to hear.
“I think we just have to start being more mindful of the people that are coming in,” Mr Chong said.
Two staff members and a customer were inside the shop at 105 High Street, Cranbourne, when the incident occurred, however no-one was injured.
Mr Chong said he couldn’t recall such a brazen robbery occurring at the newsagency.
After opening at 3am on Monday morning, the two staff members who witnessed the armed robbery have since gone home.
Mr Chong was unaware of the amount of cash stolen by the man, described as Caucasian and wearing a grey hooded top.
Recent data from the Crime Statistics Agency has confirmed robbery is on the rise in Casey.
Between July 2014 and June 2015 such offences increased 39 per cent, and local business owner Sam Abdulhak said he was worried.
Owner of the Cranbourne Charcoal Chicken, located opposite the newsagency on High Street, Mr Abdulhak said, “it’s very dangerous now.”
“Of course, I am concerned,” he explained, adding that he was robbed thrice in as many years.
“I’ve been here nine years- we had never been robbed in the six years prior, however they were all during the night,” he said.
Police are currently investigating the armed robbery and anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
