Police are hunting a group of masked youths who allegedly bashed a shop worker and stole a cash register during a robbery at the American Convenience store on Liverpool Street on Tuesday evening.
The three youths entered the store just after 6pm, with two allegedly throwing punches at the attendant and hitting him with a hammer as one grabbed the till and fled on foot.
Tasmania Police said the group left towards Mathers Lane after the attack.
The staff member was not seriously hurt and received medical treatment.
Footage obtained by Pulse shows the three masked youths entering the store around 6pm as the attendant stood behind the counter with a coffee and vape in hand.
Two of the youths allegedly began punching the worker before one reached for the cash register, took its key and then removed the entire till before running from the store.
Two customers were browsing the drink fridges when the group entered.
They could be seen watching from a distance as two other staff members emerged from a back room during the commotion.
The customers then left the store with their hands raised as a staff member provided aid to the attendant for what appeared to be injuries to his head.
The whole ordeal was over in less than 40 seconds.
Police attended the scene and remained on site for several hours.
Officers cordoned off the doorway with police tape as they combed the premises.
“Police are investigating a robbery at retail premises in Liverpool Street Hobart,” a Tasmania Police spokesperson said.
“A group of male offenders entered the premises just after 6pm. They assaulted the male staff member and stole the till before leaving on foot towards Mathers Lane.”
Government minister Bridget Archer said she was walking past the shop on Liverpool Street when police were in attendance last night and said her thoughts were with the shop attendant who was injured.
“[I’d] like to pay tribute to their work and the work that they were doing in supporting that person in those terrible circumstances,” she said.
“There is no excuse for this,” she said.
“Our police service does an amazing job and we’ll continue to take that approach in relation to policing these issues.”
Police are urging anyone who saw a small group of males in the area around 6pm to come forward.
Anyone with information can call police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or report online at crimestopperstas.com.au – quoting offence report 813983.
