Reopening of a Cold Case
A long-standing cold case involving an armed robbery that occurred over three decades ago at a Melbourne shopping centre has been reopened by police, with a renewed appeal for public assistance. The incident, which left three men injured by gunshots, took place at Chadstone Shopping Centre in May 1994.
During the incident, two Armaguard security officers and a bystander were shot when a man allegedly used a handgun to attack them. At the time, the officers were collecting the weekend’s takings from the cinema within the complex. The suspect reportedly fled the scene with bags of cash.
Victoria Police have stated that new intelligence has prompted the re-examination of this case. Crime scene exhibits that had been stored for many years are now being subjected to fresh forensic testing. This development marks a significant step in the investigation.
Armed Crime Squad’s Statement
Armed Crime Squad Detective Inspector Adam Tilley emphasized the severity of the crime and the potential for the offender to have committed similar acts before or after this incident. He noted that it is unlikely this was the first or last time the individual engaged in such crimes.
“It’s also unlikely that there isn’t someone out there who knows of someone who offended in this way — suddenly coming into that amount of cash isn’t easy to explain,” he said. “We believe there will be someone out there who has information on this incident and who was involved.”
Tilley highlighted the substantial amount of cash taken during the robbery, noting that returning home with a large quantity of cash would be difficult to explain.
Good Samaritan Among Victims
Among those injured in the incident was a good Samaritan, a 40-year-old Doveton man who was shot in his left leg while attempting to follow the armed offender. The two Armaguard officers involved were a 61-year-old North Melbourne man and a 54-year-old Sandringham man.
The event occurred around 11:40 am on May 16, 1994, when the officers were confronted by a man wearing a balaclava and carrying a handgun and a cardboard box as they exited the shopping centre. After being ordered to get down, one of the officers was shot, with the bullet ricocheting off the man’s lower leg and hitting the other officer’s shoe.
Soon after, the good Samaritan was also shot in his left leg. As the robber made his escape with two bags of cash, he dropped a number of items, police said. He is also believed to have pointed his gun at other civilians.
The suspect was described as being between 30 and 40 years old, 170-178cm tall, with a medium/slim build. He was wearing a fawn long-sleeved top, a fawn balaclava, and brown gloves.
Family Appeal for Justice
Karl, the son of one of the Armaguard workers injured, shared his family’s experience with the case. He mentioned that his family learned about the recent developments in the case shortly after his father’s death.
“One of the first things that mum found going through dad’s possessions was a folder which had news clippings about what happened to him that day,” he said. “They had moved house a couple of times and had a couple of clean-outs. The fact that that was one of the first things that she found on his desk speaks volumes to the impact that had on him even though it was decades ago.”
Karl urged anyone with information that could assist the police investigation to come forward. “Dad passed away without seeing justice done … it clearly was deeply traumatic for him,” he said. “But it’s not too late for my mum to see justice for what was done to her husband. It’s not too late for the other family members who remember what happened to their loved ones.”
Public Assistance Needed
Police have asked anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make an online report. They emphasize the importance of public assistance in solving this case and bringing closure to the families involved.
