A GANG of nine youths mobbed and attacked a man near the Casey ARC fitness centre in Narre Warren on Saturday just hours after 20 young people rampaged through the Coles Cranbourne, police have revealed.

And later that same night, a group of up to six young men approached a teenager and robbed him of his mobile phone as he left a bus near High St, Cranbourne, about 9.40pm.

Police cannot confirm the crimes are linked but say all three involved youths of African appearance.

COLES STORE ATTACKED BY 20 YOUTHS

TEEN KNOCKED OUT IN BRUTAL GANG ATTACK

Casey detective Senior Sergeant Brad Sprague said the Casey Aquatic and Recreation Centre (ARC) robbery happened at 8.10pm on Saturday, September 9, on the footpath along the Princes Highway in Narre Warren.

He said the victim was approached and surrounded by the group, who demanded money and punched him in the face.

One of the group was believed to have been armed with a wooden item, perhaps a bat.

Sen Sgt Sprague said police wanted anyone with dashcam footage of the incident to come forward.

media_camera This Coles store was attacked by a gang of 20 youths and two more gang assaults occurred nearby later that night. Picture: Mark Wilson

He said police were preparing for more opportunistic crimes as the weather warmed up and more people went out on the street.

“Obviously (young gangs) are around,” he said.

“This is something we have to keep monitoring.

“We do everything we can to engage youth… from different multicultural backgrounds but it’s still an issue for us.

“With the warm weather coming we do not want this stuff to fire up. “

Earlier on Saturday a group of 15-20 youths entered Coles at Springhill Shopping Centre, shortly after 6pm.

The group went through and grabbed chips, soft drinks and confectionery leaving the store soon after without making any attempt to pay.

The teenagers are of African appearance and many were wearing hooded jumpers and backpacks.

Police say some of the same group may have been involved in the bus stop robbery about 9.40pm.

Anyone with information is urged to phone Narre Warren Police on 9705 3111.