Police call on witness who scared off masked men following ‘terrifying’ armed robbery in Bundoora

UPDATE 

Police are investigating if a taser or stun gun was used in a “terrifying” armed robbery involving a group of masked men in Melbourne’s north overnight.

Investigators have been told a 25-year-old man was driving with a friend in Bundoora when he was followed by a group of men in two cars.

It’s believed the men tried to pull the victim and his passenger, a 25-year-old woman from the car.

He has been attacked him with a pole and struck on the hand with what police describe as a “conducted energy device” or a weapon similar to a stun gun or taser.

Detective Senior Constable Craig Hall described it as a terrifying incident.

“He’s being treated at the Austin Hospital, and he has a mark on his hands which is consistent with a taser,” he told Tony Jones on 3AW Mornings.

He implored a bystander who approached the group, scaring off the offenders, to come forward.

In an unrelated incident, a 17-year-old has been approached by five or six youths, perceived to be African in appearance as he was walking home in Hampton Park on Wednesday.

An off-air Word on the Street caller alerted 3AW Drive yesterday to the heavy police presence.

One of the group threatened the victim, and demanded that he hand over his mobile phone.

Before handing over his phone, the offender struck the victim to the leg with the unknown weapon.

Police were initially investigating if a taser or stun gun was used, but say they have reviewed further evidence, and don’t believe the teen victim was tasered.

The victim handed over his phone and a small amount of cash before the group ran off towards.

Former police officer George Hateley explained to Tony Jones on 3AW Mornings the difference between a taser and a stun gun, having spent 20 years supplying tasers to police forces across the country.

“The stun guns are already in the marketplace in Asia, they hurt but they are harmless to people.”

Click PLAY to hear more on 3AW Mornings