Armed teenagers allegedly hold up Hobart convenience store, steal cash and cigarettes

Five Hobart teenagers have been arrested after they allegedly held up a 24-hour convenience store while armed with weapons overnight.

The group, made up of a 15-year-old, two 16-year-olds and two 18-year-olds, is alleged to have entered the Liverpool Street store shortly before midnight and unsuccessfully demanded cash and cigarettes.

After “leaving empty handed” following the first attempt, they returned a short time later allegedly armed with a knife and a baton, this time leaving the scene with a “significant amount of cash and cigarettes”.

Police say officers caught up with and arrested the teens in the early hours of Monday morning.

All have been charged with attempted armed robbery and aggravated robbery and will appear in after-hours court tonight, while one 18-year-old will appear on 20 December.

Police say no one was physically injured, but they would like to speak to a witness “who reportedly saw the group leave the scene in a grey Holden Cruz”.

The incident is the second involving the store in recent weeks and follows the arrest of a 14-year-old Hobart teenager in late October, who allegedly demanded cigarettes while waving a knife around.

Anyone with information or who saw the vehicle in the greater Hobart area around midnight is urged to contact Police on 131 444 or Crimestoppers.