CCTV images have captured five armed robbers raiding a jewellery store in Toorak Village, in Melbourne’s south-east, earlier today.
Police said IMP Jewellery on Toorak Road was targeted just after 1pm by five men.
Images obtained by 9NEWS show the hooded offenders smashing the cabinets of the store, leaving shattered glass strewn over the floor.
One of the men allegedly produced a firearm to hit a male staff worker on the head.
All of the offenders then fled the scene in a car with a large quantity of jewellery, sparking a police pursuit for eight kilometres.
“(The offenders) reached significant speeds. The pursuit went for about five minutes until it was too dangerous to continue,” Sergeant Tim Lambourne told reporters this afternoon.
The victim was treated at the scene for superficial injuries, but has been “very traumatised” by the robbery, Sgt. Lambourne said.
The same store was previously raided on October 25, with CCTV capturing armed burglars demanding the manager open the safe.
Read more: Melbourne jewellery shop manager confronts masked robbers
“No-one would want to go through that once but to have this happen twice (in) a relatively short space of time is abhorrent and absolutely disgraceful” Sgt. Lambourne said.
All five of the offenders are described as being of African appearance. Investigations are ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.