Melbourne man's ordeal after masked teens allegedly threaten and rob him

A shop assistant has opened up about the terrifying moment he was threatened and robbed by masked teenagers in Melbourne.

Vardhan said he was locking up at the IGA in Armadale about 10.30pm on Tuesday when he was ambushed by the group that arrived in an allegedly stolen Nissan X-Trail.

"They were threatening to hit me if I don't surrender all my items to them," he said.

READ MORE: Powerful earthquake rocks Taiwan, collapsing buildings

The 28-year-old ran across the street and flagged down a taxi driver who came to the rescue. 

"He asked me to get into the car quickly so they don't hurt me," he said.

During the scuffle, the youths managed to swipe Vardhan's car keys and took off in his MG.

Vardhan and the cab driver attempted to chase them before they called police. 

It is alleged the teens tried to break into the AMPOL at Hawthorn East before police eventually caught up with them in Fitzroy.

Five teenagers were arrested and police said three of them were on bail.

The X-Trail was allegedly stolen from Mooroolbark and Police Air Wing tracked it through Blackburn, the CBD and Carlton. 

At one point officers deployed stop sticks in Ascot Vale before the chase came to an end in Fitzroy.

READ MORE: Fresh evidence reveals drug and prostitute claims in Lehrmann case

The teenagers, aged between 15 and 17, have been charged with several offences including theft of a motor vehicle, attempted burglary and robbery.

Only one boy has been remanded.

The IGA in Armadale has a licence to operate until midnight but the owners have told 9News they will close earlier due to safety concerns.

"I feel very, very let down by the government," Danny Kashyap said.

"I'm very unhappy, it's just like one of my kids getting hurt."

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, celebrity and sport via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.