JB Hi-Fi heists: Staff helpless as gangs target stores across Melbourne

FIRST with NEIL MITCHELL

JB Hi-Fi workers are being held at the mercy of thieves amid a wave of armed robberies at stores across Melbourne.

Witnesses have described a gang bursting into the Nunawading store on Sunday afternoon, rifling through shelves of electronics.

“Crooks ran in, grabbed every Apple-branded product they could and ran out again,” Neil Mitchell detailed this morning.

Police say they’ve questioned a number of youths, but are yet to lay charges.

3AW Mornings today received tips that seven other JB Hi-Fi stores — Epping, Highpoint, Brighton, Thomastown, Essendon, Knox City and Hoppers Crossing — have also been targeted in recent weeks.

Caller, Tim, said his wife was caught in the Nunawading incident.

“She said it was very much like a movie,” he said.

“They just let them take it because if anyone steps in the way they get hurt.

“(They were) men of African appearance, but she said they were men, not boys.”

Police have charged six teenagers, aged between 14 and 17, in relation to thefts of electronics stores between August 22 and September 1.

The teens were charged over the thefts from stores in Airport West, Sunshine, Brunswick, Hoppers Crossing, Maribyrnong, Brighton, Epping, Thomastown, Pakenham and Nunawading.

Seven other teenagers were also arrested in relation to the burglaries, but were released pending further enquiries.

Police have also recovered a large amount of allegedly stolen goods including mobile phones, tablets and computers.

The investigations remain ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Click PLAY to hear Sarah and Tim tell their stories to Neil Mitchell