Gang leaves victims ‘terrified’ after string of service station robberies

On a quiet Sunday, armed men stormed a Melbourne service station flashing knives.

They threatened the Frankston attendant, who cooperated, before getting away with cash and cigarettes.

It was a calculated robbery police say they've pulled off four times before.

Colleagues of the victims say they're terrified.

The thieves’ first target was a Patterson Lakes service station on August 3.

Three days later the gang targeted a business in Hastings.

Police say the same men struck at Black Rock and again in Crib Point before the most recent armed robbery in Frankston last Sunday.

“On a couple of occasions they’ve told the attendant to face away while they commit the armed robbery,” Senior Constable Chris Zurek said.

A critical clue linking the robberies is the getaway car.

Witnesses have reported seeing the armed men flee in a silver or grey early-1990's Holden Commodore sedan following two of the robberies.

“You’ve got victims who are left wondering when the next attack’s going to happen when they’re working,” Constable Zurek said.

But with the crooks revealing their faces moments before the Patterson Lakes robbery, investigators hope this will be their undoing.

All the robbers are Caucasian and aged in their 20s, and one has distinctive facial hair.