By Aneeka Simonis
A WOMAN allegedly armed with a syringe forced her way into several Pakenham homes and a take-away food store demanding cash and stealing property last week.
Police said a male shop owner had to force a woman out of his shop after a “scuffle” between the pair.
In another incident a female resident said she chased a woman out of her home after she claimed she was threatened with the syringe.
The incidents began at the Pakenham Racecourse Fish and Chips store about 2.50pm on Tuesday 15 November.
Cardinia Crime Investigation Unit Detective Sergeant Phil Jury said a woman brandishing a syringe walked into the shop and began threatening the shop owner and demanded he hand over cash.
He said the 45-year-old owner refused to comply with the woman’s demands and “dragged her out” of the shop following a brief scuffle after she allegedly tried to steal a charity tin which was chained to the front counter.
The shop owner did not wish to comment.
Police said the same woman then targeted a home in Cameron Way, Pakenham.
A female resident told police that she found a woman with a syringe in her living room about 3.10pm.
She said the intruder demanded money then grabbed the victim’s handbag and phone and walked out of the house.
Police said the victim followed the woman and took back her possessions before calling police.
Another victim had reported a similar incident to police 10 minutes earlier.
On that occasion, the resident was asleep when a woman allegedly burgled the home, stealing a bag and cash.
Police have arrested and charged a 39-year-old Pakenham woman.
She was remanded in custody and is due to reappear in court on attempted armed robbery charges and two counts of aggravated burglary.
