Sydney cricket bat gang raids stores

Five males speaking in Arabic and wielding cricket bats raided a convenience store owner in Berala in western Sydney on Sunday, and now the latter is considering whether to continue his business after being robbed for the fourth time in a year.

Sydney, Feb.11 : Five males speaking in Arabic and wielding cricket bats raided a convenience store owner in Berala in western Sydney on Sunday, and now the latter is considering whether to continue his business after being robbed for the fourth time in a year.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Jasim Al Saedy's shop on Campbell Street was raided at about 7p.m.

His daughter Dooa Al Saedy claimed the men spoke Arabic and beat an unknown man standing outside the shop with cricket bats moments before entering the shop.

They then demanded phone cards, cigarettes and took over 7000 Australian dollars in cash.

"We have been robbed four times in the past year. It's very hard," the paper quoted Dooa, as saying.

Police said two men attacked another convenience store, but had to flee empty handed after a struggle with the shopkeeper.

All four men were seen getting into a red Toyota Camry that was driven away by a fifth person. The Camry was later found abandoned a few streets away.

ANI