Crims on the run after two separate armed robberies

Several men are on the run after two separate armed robberies in Melbourne today, where a Lotto worker was stabbed and another attendant threatened with a machete.

In Croydon, in Melbourne’s east, a man stormed Croydon Lotto on Main Street about 8am today, a few doors down from local MP David Hodgett.

Police believe the man entered the shop with his face covered and demanded money before stabbing the male staff member in the arm.

The offender then fled the scene on foot with an amount of cash.

The staff member remains in a stable condition at Maroondah Hospital.

Mr Hodgett has sent his well wishes on social media.

Earlier, two other men stormed a petrol station wielding a machete and a large rock in a separate incident in Narre Warren North about 4am today.

Using shirts to cover their faces, the two men, described as African in appearance, pounced on the attendant as he unlocked the door to take out the rubbish.

Sprinting into the shopfront, they demanded cash from the till, threatening the attendant and his brother, who was keeping him company on his shift.

“He said take it, take it, take what you want,” United attendant Inder said, who did not see the robbery but had consoled his distressed colleague after the event.

“He just didn’t want to get hurt, they were tall and it was scary for him, sure,” he said.

“They just kept screaming.”

The men took off on foot with the till and about $300, leaving the attendant and his brother unharmed but shaken.

The offender involved in the Croydon incident is described as a Caucasian male, approximately 183 centimetres tall and with a medium-to-thin build.

He was last seen on Lacey Street wearing dark-coloured clothing, a white beanie and maroon-coloured shoes.

The two other men are described as African in appearance.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.