Axe bandit clocks up robbery every 24 hours

Police are hunting a blade-wielding man who may have been involved with 15 robberies

• No-one injured yet but police fear it is a only a matter of time
• Bandit strikes servos and convenience stores ever 24 hours
• Always uses a knife or tomahawk to steal cash and cigarettes

POLICE are desperate to stop an axe-wielding robber who has struck at least 15 times across Melbourne's northern suburbs in just two weeks.

Police fear the armed man, who has used a tomahawk or a knife since his first-known robbery on a Reservoir service station two weeks ago, may turn violent.

Since the first robbery he has struck service stations and convenience stores across northern Melbourne about every 20 to 24 hours, leaving with cash and cigarettes each time.

While no-one has been injured in his robberies so far, police fear his desperation for cash will escalate into injuring people.

"Although they are not physically harmed, you have somebody who is standing there with an axe or a knife and the premises are under siege," said Detective Sergeant Paul Smith.

"They're obviously going to be traumatised. If not now, that will be realised later."

Police believe the man is under some kind of personal pressure and have not ruled out that he could be suffering from a drug addiction.

"If there is such a problem, it's not going to stop until he can get some help, and we are able to get him that help," Det Sen Sgt Smith said.

The man has been captured on CCTV footage and is described as Caucasian, in his 20s, with a medium to solid build.

Via - http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/com/newscomautopstoriesndm/~3/PT7YvMlKQhY/stor...