Knifepoint robbery sends shock through community

Two Roebuck Village Store employees were terrorised last Friday night when two men threatened them at knifepoint during an armed robbery.

The incident occurred at about 7.15pm when the intruders, one armed with a knife, entered the store on Sanderling Drive.

The armed man brandished the weapon at staff and threatened them while holding a bag open and demanding cash.

The second man remained at the front door, holding it open.

The offenders stole a quantity of cash before fleeing the store.

Roebuck Village Store owner Mel Horner said the young female worker who was threatened was shaken by the incident and had only started the job about a month ago. The other staff member was 15 years old.

Mrs Horner said she was disgusted by the robbery.

“It’s awful … my emotions go from concerned for our community to pure anger,” she said. “I’m just so frustrated and annoyed that somebody would dare come in and do this when all of us are working so hard.”

The incident has sparked outrage in the community after CCTV footage of the armed robbery was posted on social media.

Mrs Horner took over the business about a year ago with her husband Glenn when it was on the verge of closing down after its previous owners announced they would no longer operate the store.

Established in 2002, the store has provided an integral service to residents in Roebuck Estate and the wider community, including providing about 300 lunches to pupils each week at Roebuck Primary School.

“I think everybody looks at this place as a little bit of their own,” she said. “A lot of the kids go to school across the road, we’ve got day care next door and I think everyone can’t believe that this has happened.

“We’ve been around for 10 years and had the shop for nearly a year and never heard of anything like this happening.”

One of the men wore a blue hooded jumper, black jeans and white shoes. He also concealed his face with red material.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.