A GANG of axe-wielding youths, of African appearance, may be responsible for a string of terrifying armed robberies at service stations.

On Wednesday night five hooded youths kicked and punched a petrol station worker as they made off with cigarettes and energy drinks from his Rattray Rd, Montmorency, shop about 6pm.

It also believed the group armed with an axe and hand gun robbed two more service stations in Melbourne’s north, including one in Keilor.

TEEN ACCUSED OF TRASHING $3M AIRBNB ON BAIL

MORE LAW AND ORDER

media_camera A screenshot of an armed robbery at a Keilor service station.

At Montmorency the worker was felled with flying kicks and a series of punches when he tried to ring the alarm after the group stormed into the shop.

Two other men then punched the worker twice and held him down while the others raided the cash register.

A colleague said he was quickly surrounded.

“(The worker) was filling the drinks fridge, he heard a car screech and pull up and by the time he looked around he saw the guys all running at him,” the colleague said. Four of the men left in a black Mercedes Benz, believed to have been stolen.

One stayed behind attempting to steal several parked cars but fled when he failed. The victim suffered minor injuries that did not require hospital treatment.

Investigators are looking at whether the gang was behind a series of offences on Tuesday night.

Police said a group of young men entered a Keilor Rd, Niddrie, convenience store at 10.30pm armed with an axe and a handgun.

media_camera A screenshot of an armed robbery at a Keilor service station

They stole cigarettes and a mobile phone before fleeing in a dark coloured sedan. Earlier that evening, it is believed the five young men tried to break down the doors of two other petrol stations — in Bundoora and Keilor.

CCTV footage obtained by the Herald Sun shows several men in masks and gloves running from a van towards the Old Calder Highway store.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.