'Very scary': Melbourne jeweller hit with hammer during broad daylight robbery
A shopkeeper has been hospitalised after being hit on the head with a hammer in a broad daylight jewellery heist that spanned two stores across Melbourne.
Three offenders armed with hammers and bats entered Official Berwick Jewellers on High Street in Berwick about 12pm today.
The thieves, wearing black hoods, masks and hi-vis shirts, smashed glass cabinets and swept jewellery into bags while a female shopkeeper watched on in horror.
READ MORE: Father's mystery disappearance now considered suspicious
The thieves, wearing black hoods, masks and hi-vis shirts, smashed glass cabinets and swept valuable jewellery into bags while a female shopkeeper watched on in horror. Supplied
"I was sitting behind the counter and suddenly three people, they came in, and started to break all the windows," shop attendant Basima Goga said.
"They took some stuff, we tried to defend ourselves, but to be honest, it was very, very scary."
A male shopkeeper confronted them and tried to push them out of the store, and he was assaulted as they continued their rampage.
The trio raced out of the store when the male shopkeeper picked up a wrench and ran towards them.
The three males fled the scene in a waiting Toyota Kluger driven by a fourth male.
The male shopkeeper, aged in his 50s, was treated at the scene for upper body injuries and taken to hospital in a stable condition.
The thieves smashed and emptied several cabinets across the Berwick store. Nine
Shop attendant Basima Goga said the ordeal was "very very scary". Nine
"For his age, it was bad to be honest. It was bad because they took him to emergency now to do CT scan for him as hammer into his head and hand," Goga said.
Police believe the same group then drove across the city to a jewellery store on The Circle in Altona North, where the same stolen Kluger was rammed into the shop's roller door.
They were unable to gain access to the store and fled empty-handed.
Crime scenes have been set up at each of the shops while detectives investigate.
The thieves remain on the run.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, with CCTV/dashcam footage or any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.
- Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play
- Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here
- Sign up to our breaking newsletter here
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
