An Ardeer woman has been charged after allegedly injecting a jewellery store owner with an unknown substance rendering him unconscious during a robbery in Footscray.
Police say a 37-year-old woman entered the Byron Street store about 5.30pm on Wednesday and injected the 63-year-old man with the drug.
He woke several hours later and called his family.
A large amount of cash and jewellery was stolen during the heist.
Truc Nguyen was arrested on Thursday and charged with a number of offences including armed robbery, theft and intentionally causing injury, after more than $200,000 in jewellery was recovered during a raid on a Maxweld Drive property.
Nguyen appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court last Friday when she was remanded in custody to appear for a committal mention on October 13. No application was made for bail.
It is believed one of the bags of stolen items was dropped during the robbery and is still outstanding.
Detectives believe the bag contains a large amount of cash and valuable jewellery and are seeking the public’s help to find it.
Anyone with information should phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Cameron Tait
