Altona: Armed hold-ups may be linked, police say

Police believe two armed hold-ups in Altona were committed by two different men who may have been travelling in the same car.

A man was robbed at knifepoint while walking home to Altona from Laverton train station on June 9. Police said a second attempted robbery five minutes later was likely to be linked.

The first victim said he had been on his way home from the football but the train he caught ran express from Newport to Laverton.

Hobsons Bay Senior Constable Danny Blake said the man was robbed while walking in Maidstone Street, near Wren Street, in Altona, about 12.50am.

Senior Constable Blake said the victim handed over $25 after being approached and threatened by a man with a knife.

The other man was allegedly held up at knifepoint a short time later.

“The second one has occurred about five minutes later, about 300 metres away on the corner of Maidstone Street and Blyth Street, where what we believe to be a different offender has made demands from a second victim for his wallet,” Senior Constable Blake said.

He said a man approached the second victim and asked for a cigarette before producing a knife. The victim refused to hand over his wallet and the man ran off to a silver hatchback.

The first man was described as southern European in appearance, aged 20-25, with a moustache and was wearing a dark hoodie with grey grid pattern. The second was Caucasian, aged 20-25, with brown hair and wearing a dark hoodie, dark pants and white shoes.

Information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000