Gang steals thousands of dollars’ worth of cigarettes in supermarket ram-raid as ‘armed man keeps watch’

A gang of thieves have rammed a large ute into a supermarket in Melbourne’s east, fleeing with thousands of dollars in cigarettes.

A light-coloured Nissan Patrol was reversed through the front door of the store on Bladin Street in Laverton about 4am, forcing the door off its tracks.

Six men ransacked the supermarket, smashing wine bottles and toppling shelves before removing a cigarette safe and emptying it of its contents.

The cigarettes were empties into doona covers and hauled into a silver Subaru Impreza getaway car waiting out the front.

Police believe a man armed with a knife was standing guard at the front door throughout the robbery.

The men fled in the two vehicles.

The Subaru was later found abandoned a short distance away in Cropley Street.

All six men remain on the run.

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