Police hunt for man who threatened supermarket employee with knife in Diggers Rest, Victoria
A knife was held to the throat of a supermarket employee during a terrifying armed robbery about 37km northwest of Melbourne last month.
A man armed with a knife approached the staff member outside FoodWorks on Glitter Rd, Diggers Rest about 8.15pm on Saturday, October 5, police said.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Victoria supermarket robbery.
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CCTV captured the entire ordeal, including the moment the offender put an arm around the victim and held a knife to his throat.
The thief then ran from the store, jumped over a railing and tripped on someone’s front lawn while running along Welcome Rd.
No one was physically injured during the armed robbery.
Supermarket manager Nick Patel told 7NEWS.com.au a second person was also working at the store at the time but was not physically threatened by the offender.
The employee directly involved has returned to work, however, Patel said he remains on edge and is currently working fewer days — and always only when Patel is also working.
“He’s a bit scared ... he (used) to work a lot before,” he said.
Patel said watching the CCTV of the incident was “scary” and it was the first time anything like that had happened in the seven years he had been manager.
“I’m worried about my employees,” Patel said.
“(I’ve) been here for a long time, (I) haven’t had anything like this.
“I was shocked that these kinds of things happen here.”
Patel said the offender’s violent actions were not worth it as he only managed to steal a couple of hundred dollars.
Police have returned to the area to ask surrounding residents for any CCTV that could help with their investigation, Patel said.
The offender has been described as Caucasian, approximately 175cm tall with a slim build.
“He was last seen wearing grey pants, a black windbreaker with a Nike logo and black work boots,” police said.
Police have released CCTV images of the incident in the hope someone will recognise the offender.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
Originally published on 7NEWS
