A group of youths have stormed multiple phone stores at a Melton West shopping centre, brazenly stealing expensive phones and slapping a worker in the process.

3AW Drive was alerted to the incidents on Thursday.

Police have since confirmed they’re investigating an assault and several phone thefts.

Police received a report of a staff member at phone store being slapped in the face during a dispute with a customer about 11am on Wednesday.

Police later received reports that 3-4 youths had gone to a different phone store in the Main Street shopping centre and stole a number of phones about 5.20pm.

Police believe the two incidents are linked and are investigating. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police are also investigating the theft of a phone from a third phone store at the same shopping centre on Thursday.

It’s not known whether today’s theft is linked to Wednesday’s incident.

One witness, Marty, told 3AW Drive the youths were “quite big” and of African appearance.

He said security staff at the store were told to not fight back when the youths committed the crimes.