Hunt for pin-stripe bandit widens

An image released by police.

The bandit in his pin-stripe suit.  

AN ARMED robber who wore a business suit as he held up retailers in Melbourne's north this month is wanted for further robberies.

Trading his pin-stripe suit for tracksuit pants, the thief tried to commit three robberies on April 10, just nine days after the initial spate of thefts.

The thief, allegedly from New South Wales, caused serious injuries to a 26-year-old man when he beat him in the head numerous times and robbed him with an unknown weapon in Dundas St, Preston, at 1.30pm.

The 26-year-old was a student who was on his lunch break outside a Preston bakery where he worked part-time.

Police said the attacker made violent threats to the student before stealing his keys and smashing his phone on the ground.

Just 90 minutes later he unsuccessfully tried to rob a Tattslotto outlet in Carlton North, demanding cash from a 47-year-old man at the counter.

The victim, whose 13-year-old daughter was with him, was unable to comply with his demands for cash and the would-be robber fled.

Moments later he crossed the road and produced a knife to rob a pharmacy, where a mother and child were nearby.

On April 1, the man robbed a Carlton North bottle shop and 10 minutes later he robbed a newsagency with a knife in Brunswick East, stealing cash and cigarettes.

Sgt Troy Andrews said the robber is becoming more confident and has less concern for who is around.

“He is confident in offending and far more frantic, aggressive and desperate,” Sgt Andrews said.

“All victims involved have had a real concern for their lives. He is becoming less concerned with who is around and who sees him commit these crimes.

“The level of violence and his erratic nature is a real concern. He is aware that police are looking for him and we believe he has fled to New South Wales.”

Mr Andrew said the robber may have travelled to Melbourne to carry out the attacks from NSW.

The man is of a Middle Eastern appearance, aged in his late 20s to early 30s and 175cm tall, with an olive complexion and a shaved head.

He is said to have a distinctive tattoo on the right side of his neck of two lines of cursive text that says: “My only friend is my misery”.

The man was wearing a black hooded jumper and tracksuit pants during the latest robberies and a pin-stripe suit on April 1.

Police believe the man may be from Sydney and may have travelled back to the area.

Detectives are calling on anyone who witnessed these incidents or recognises the man to come forward.

Anyone with any information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au

Jessica.Evans@news.com.au

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Police hunt business-suit bandit

An image released by police.

A SUAVE robber who wielded a gun and a knife during two hold-ups in inner Melbourne is being hunted by police.

Clad in a pin-stripe suit, the robber discussed wine varieties with a staff member at a Nicholson St bottle shop in Carlton North around 2.45pm last Monday, April 1.

But the sharply dressed robber changed his tune as he launched his heist, as he implied he was armed with a gun and threatened the attendant before stealing cash and alcohol from the store.

While the robber swiped the goods, he apologised for his actions and promised to pay the attendant back in the future.

Cop impersonators among this month's Most Wanted

Just 10 minutes later, the business-suit bandit struck again at a newsagency on Nicholson St, Brunswick East, just 2km from the scene of his first hold-up.

This time the robber chose a knife as his weapon of choice, which he produced as he stole cash and cigarettes.

He again apologised for his behaviour before walking away from the scene, heading north on Nicholson St.

Detectives from the Melbourne Embona Taskforce are investigating the incident and are calling on anyone with any information about the incident, or the robber’s identity, to come forward and assist them with their investigation.

The man police wish to speak to is perceived to be of Middle Eastern appearance, aged in his late 20s–early 30s and 175cm tall, with an olive complexion and a shaved head.

He was wearing dark grey suit with fine white or grey pin stripes and a black shirt, grey tie and grey skate shoes.

He had tattoos, was wearing gold rings on his fingers and carrying a black sports bag with “Nike” written in white.

Police have released stills from the CCTV footage of the incident in the hope that someone may be able to shed light on the man’s identity.

Anyone with any information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au

View the original article here

Police hunt business-suit bandit

An image released by police.

A SUAVE robber who wielded a gun and a knife during two hold-ups in inner Melbourne is being hunted by police.

Clad in a pin-stripe suit, the robber discussed wine varieties with a staff member at a Nicholson St bottle shop in Carlton North around 2.45pm last Monday, April 1.

But the sharply dressed robber changed his tune as he launched his heist, as he implied he was armed with a gun and threatened the attendant before stealing cash and alcohol from the store.

While the robber swiped the goods, he apologised for his actions and promised to pay the attendant back in the future.

Cop impersonators among this month's Most Wanted

Just 10 minutes later, the business-suit bandit struck again at a newsagency on Nicholson St, Brunswick East, just 2km from the scene of his first hold-up.

This time the robber chose a knife as his weapon of choice, which he produced as he stole cash and cigarettes.

He again apologised for his behaviour before walking away from the scene, heading north on Nicholson St.

Detectives from the Melbourne Embona Taskforce are investigating the incident and are calling on anyone with any information about the incident, or the robber’s identity, to come forward and assist them with their investigation.

The man police wish to speak to is perceived to be of Middle Eastern appearance, aged in his late 20s–early 30s and 175cm tall, with an olive complexion and a shaved head.

He was wearing dark grey suit with fine white or grey pin stripes and a black shirt, grey tie and grey skate shoes.

He had tattoos, was wearing gold rings on his fingers and carrying a black sports bag with “Nike” written in white.

Police have released stills from the CCTV footage of the incident in the hope that someone may be able to shed light on the man’s identity.

Anyone with any information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au

View the original article here