According to a Victoria Police statement, the male – who was wearing a balaclava and armed with two hammers – entered the store in Pacific Werribee shopping centre in Melbourne’s south-west just after 5:00pm on Tuesday 22 May.
CCTV footage showed the assailant smashing open a display cabinet and stealing an unknown amount of jewellery before fleeing in a car parked outside the shopping centre.
A female customer confronted the man and seized one of the hammers before throwing it in his direction as he ran from the shop.
Detective senior sergeant Matt Kershaw was quoted as stating it was a “brave act” for the customer to attempt to deter the assailant.
“[However], we wouldn’t recommend it,” Kershaw said. “It was a violent offence and it had the potential to escalate, but luckily it didn’t. The offender was only there for one thing.”
A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed the investigation was ongoing and was therefore unable to provide additional information, including the value of the stolen items.
Anyone with information that could help police is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report on the Crime Stoppers page online.
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