TERRIFYING footage capturing four knife-wielding thieves storming a suburban supermarket and threatening staff is expected to prove vital in hunting them down.

Police are confident they will find the masked bandits, who held up the Woolworths outlet at The Links shopping complex in Oakleigh South at about 8.30pm yesterday.

It’s believed they fled in a car with cigarettes and cash.

The bandits — three with knives — demanded cash from the store’s manned registers before going to the main service area.

One jumped the counter and took more cash and cigarettes.

Footage taken by a bystander showed terrifying staff fleeing to safety after complying with demands.

One bandit appears to keep watch.

Detective Insp Kerin Moloney said the vision and CCTV would likely prove key in finding the men.

“I’d anticipate as we work through that we will have further avenues of inquiry,’’ Insp Moloney said.

“This was a brazen offence.

“It is really concerning to Victoria Police — this type of offending.

“There is no doubt this type of offending is very serious and it is treated with that seriousness.”

Police were yet to find any links to other armed robbers in the area, some similar in nature, but investigators remained open-minded.

There was nothing to suggest the attack was related to any gang-related activity, Insp Moloney said.

The Eastern Region Crime Squad and Box Hill Embona are handling the case.

“We’re putting in all the available resources to identify these offenders and then to work towards arresting and charging these offenders,’’ Insp Moloney said.

“I have got total confidence that we will progress this investigation thoroughly and quickly.

“I would expect that in the future we will be speaking to the appropriate offenders.”

Nobody was injured during the incident, which occurred on the corner of Warrigal and Centre roads.

Ambulance Victoria was called to the scene to assess one person who did not require treatment.

While the offenders were disguised witnesses said they were dark skinned and aged in their 20s.

Police have spoken to several customers who were in the store but urged others or anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au.

wes.hosking@news.com.au