New Lead in 30-Year-Old Armed Robbery Case
Police in Melbourne have uncovered a new lead in the investigation into a “callous” gunman who shot two people during an armed robbery over 30 years ago. The case, which remains unsolved, has recently been reopened following the receipt of fresh intelligence.
The incident occurred on May 16, 1994, when a balaclava-clad man armed with a handgun confronted two Armaguard employees after they collected the weekend takings from a cinema at the Chadstone shopping centre. According to Detective Inspector Adam Tilley, the suspect ordered the guards to “get down, drop the money.” One guard was shot in the right ankle, and the bullet ricocheted into the other guard’s shoe.
After the attack, the offender took the cash-filled bags and stole the two Armaguard revolvers. A 40-year-old Doveton man who pursued the fleeing gunman was shot in the leg, shattering his femur. Insp Tilley described the passerby as “extremely brave … and heroic” for chasing the suspect.
Carl Benjaminsen, the son of Armaguard employee Sverre Benjaminsen, shared his family’s emotional reaction to police contacting them about the case just six weeks after his father’s death. He revealed that his mother found a folder containing news clippings about the incident while going through his father’s possessions. This, he said, highlighted the lasting impact the event had on his father.
“The frustration that he couldn’t stop this, that so many people were injured, he was deeply upset that a passerby got shot, that his workmate got shot,” Carl said. “It really stuck with him, and I think he’s carried that all the way through the rest of his life.”
Insp Tilley mentioned that a person recently provided intelligence about the case to police, allowing the investigation to progress. However, a key piece of the puzzle is still missing. The gunman had dropped a cardboard box containing one of the stolen revolvers and a bag of cash before escaping with a significant sum.
“We believe it to be unlikely this was either the first or the last time the offender committed an armed robbery,” Insp Tilley said. “We’ve had a number of exhibits that were seized at the time and there’s ongoing forensic testing.”
Carl Benjaminsen emphasized that the gunman had “got away with this for 30 years.” He expressed hope that the offender would come forward and allow the community to find some closure.
“He’s done a lot of harm to a lot of people – we haven’t forgotten, the police haven’t forgotten,” he said. “I would really like to see him give himself up and allow us to all get some rest … it’d be nice to finally see justice done.”
Key Details of the Incident
- The incident took place on May 16, 1994, at the Chadstone shopping centre in Melbourne.
- A balaclava-clad man armed with a handgun confronted two Armaguard employees.
- One guard was shot in the right ankle, and the bullet ricocheted into the other guard’s shoe.
- The suspect stole cash-filled bags and two Armaguard revolvers.
- A passerby was shot in the leg while pursuing the gunman.
- The offender left behind a cardboard box containing one of the stolen revolvers and a bag of cash.
Ongoing Investigation
- Police have received new intelligence and are appealing for public help to identify the gunman.
- Forensic testing is still ongoing, with several exhibits seized at the time of the crime.
- The suspect is believed to have committed other armed robberies in the past.
- Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Emotional Impact on Victims and Families
- Sverre Benjaminsen, an Armaguard employee, was deeply affected by the incident.
- His son, Carl, shared how the event continued to haunt his father throughout his life.
- The family expressed their hope for justice and closure after three decades.
Call for Public Assistance
- Police are asking the public to help identify the gunman.
- Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the authorities.
- The case remains open, with the hope that justice will eventually be served.
