'I thought he would shoot me': witness tells of terror as police probe robbery links

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June 25, 2010

Police are investigating whether a gunman who smashed his way into a Fitzroy restaurant last night was also responsible for an armed robbery in the same suburb earlier in the day.

A Victoria Police spokesman said the man was armed with a handgun when he threw a fire hydrant cover through the glass doors of the Brunswick Street restaurant just after closing about 10.50pm.

An employee who was finishing up for the night ran upstairs to raise the alarm before the the offender made off with an amount of money.


'I thought he would shoot me': witness tells of terror as police probe robbery links
MEGAN LEVY
June 25, 2010 - 3:23PM

Police are investigating whether a gunman who smashed his way into a Fitzroy restaurant last night was also responsible for an armed robbery in the same suburb earlier in the day.

A Victoria Police spokesman said the man was armed with a handgun when he threw a fire hydrant cover through the glass doors of the Brunswick Street restaurant just after closing about 10.50pm.

An employee who was finishing up for the night ran upstairs to raise the alarm before the the offender made off with an amount of money.

The man was last seen running across Brunswick Street, west along King William Street into a block of flats near Nicholson Street.

Earlier in the day a man armed with a gun held up a Tattersalls outlet in Brunswick Street, escaping with an amount of cash.

The female store manager was working alone just before 1pm when the man walked in and pulled out a gun from beneath his jacket.

"I thought he’s there to shoot me or he’s there to get the money. I had no idea what he was going to do," the 46-year-old woman, who asked not to be identified, said.

The gunman then crossed Brunswick Street before running off once he reached Victoria Street.

The woman was shaken by the incident, but not injured.

Detectives have released CCTV footage of the Tattersalls robbery and have appealed for anyone with information about the gunman to come forward.

The wanted man is described as Caucasian in appearance, aged in his 30s, about 183 centimetres tall with a medium build.

He has sharp facial features, blue or grey-coloured eyes and at the time of the the robbery was wearing a light coloured jumper with black square patches on the upper arms, a fluorescent yellow shirt, camel-coloured work pants and sneakers.

Detectives are appealing for anyone with information about either armed robbery to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au.