A reward of $100,000 is being offered by police for the identification of armed offenders, as Armed Crime Squad detectives draw a common link between a robbery in Sunshine West and another in Sunbury last year.
The detectives also released CCTV footage of the incidents, which happened in October and December of last year.
In the first incident, a man with a gun forced his way into a factory in North View Drive, Sunshine West, about 5am on October 8.
He confronted a female employee at the factory and shot at her, injuring her arm.
When police arrived, he kept the woman with him while edging towards a motorbike, threatening police before releasing the woman and fleeing.
Police believed the offender then held up a cafe on Elgar Road in Derrimut, threatening staff with the same long arm firearm and stealing cash about 5.25am.
Detectives also released an image of the man they wish to speak to.
Investigators believe they can now link the incident with an armed robbery at a McDonald’s outlet in Sunbury, and a failed hold-up attempt just before that at another McDonald’s just off the Calder Freeway.
Police believed the armed robbery, in a car park outside the fast-food outlet on Horne Street on December 1, involved three offenders.
The trio held up a cash delivery car and its driver just after 6am.
Police have been told some cash was taken and two of the three offenders carried firearms.
It’s believed two of the alleged offenders arrived on a dark-coloured motorcycle, and one later left on it.
The other alleged offender arrived in a late model sports Holden Commodore sedan, and two left in the car.
The sedan was later found, dumped and burnt out at Little River near Werribee.
A white late model vehicle was spotted leaving the scene.
Armed Crime Squad Detective Inspector Stephen Clark said they were hopeful the reward would lead to a breakthrough.
“We are appealing for anyone with information or anyone who witnessed the offenders and/or car … to come forward,’’ Inspector Clark said.
“Our investigation has led us to this point and we are just waiting for that crucial call.”
The Director of Public Prosecutions may also consider granting an indemnity to any person who provides information in relation to the offenders’ identities.
Information to Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000
