The offenders were armed with hammers. Credit:Victoria Police The first occurred on Chandler Road in Keysborough about 5pm. Two men armed with hammers came into the store, demanding cash and cigarettes. The CCTV footage shows the pair waving their hammers at the attendant before smashing the counter and the computer. A man threatens the attendant with a hammer in the Mulgrave robbery. Credit:Victoria Police The man smashes a cabinet with a hammer. Credit:Victoria Police

About half an hour later, one man entered a liquor store on Police Road in Mulgrave. He was also armed with a hammer. He threatened the attendant, grabbing him as he entered the store and waving the hammer in his face. In both incidents, the attendants complied with their demands and the offenders took about $1000 from each store and some cigarettes before fleeing. It's believed they knew the area well and used a car to get between the two shops. Detective Senior Constable Sam Jeffery said the pair acted "very aggressively" as they attempted to intimidate the shop attendants. "One of the victims threatened to kill a shop attendant if he didn't comply with his demands of producing cash from the register," he said.

"Both victims have been quite significantly impacted by this offending, it's the sort of thing that stays with the victims for some time. It's unacceptable... [these are] family businesses. It's not uncommon for family to be around these businesses, so it's been particularly distressing for both parties." He said the level of violence had alarmed him. "Other armed robberies I've investigated tend to be more subtle, but they been brazen about it, aggressive, done by intimidation and we were lucky there weren't other customers in the store at the time. We are quite lucky the victims weren't injured but it had the potential to go to that next level." Police wish to speak to the two men in the CCTV footage.

They are described as between 20 and 30 years old, male, with solid builds and possibly of Islander or Middle Eastern appearance, police said. Anyone who recognises the men or with further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au