A gunman is on the loose after shooting a woman and committing two armed robberies in Sunshine West.
Police say the bandit, armed with a firearm, first broke into a factory in North View Drive, Sunshine West, about 5am on Wednesday.
The assailant, armed with a gun and wearing a full face helmet, stormed into the factory and shot a female employee in the arm.
When police arrived, the armed robber took the woman hostage, dragging her towards a motorbike parked at the front of the factory. He did not steal anything from the premises.
Victoria Police spokeswoman Sergeant Sharon Darcy said he let the woman go before before speeding off towards Somerville Road.
Police, however, decided not to pursue the offender and instead helped the injured woman, who was taken to Sunshine Hospital for treatment.
Soon after, officers were called to a take-away restaurant in Derrimut – believed to be Cafe Poki – on the corner of Mount Derrimut Road and Paramount Boulevard, after reports of another attempted armed robbery.
Sergeant Darcy said the same man entered the shop and threatened the female worker with his gun, before stealing cash from the register.
He then fled on the motorbike.
Officers took the woman to a nearby hospital for observation and treatment for shock.
The assailant is described as about 183 centimetres tall and of solid build. He was wearing dark clothes and a full face helmet at the time of both robberies.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
