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Burglars have used a sledgehammer and handgun in a brazen jewellery store heist that terrified staff of an Elsternwick store.
The two masked men entered the Riddell Parade shop just after midday on Monday, smashing glass cabinets, threatening four staff and using what appeared to be pillowcases to carry off stolen jewellery.
CCTV: Robbers smash through jewellery store
An Elsternwick jewellery store owner has risked his life trying to fight off thieves who were threatening to shoot his staff. (Video courtesy Seven News Melbourne)
It is believed their faces were covered with T-shirts.
CCTV captured the armed robbery, in which the burglars damaged the shop fittings but did not appear to steal much.
A third person was waiting in the getaway car, a grey 2001 Mitsubishi Outlander station wagon.​
​The Mitsubishi, registration YSF 086, was stolen from Diamond Creek on August 31.
The thieves drove south on Riddell Parade, then east on Rowan Street, where one of the men got out and into another car, believed to be a silver 1998 Mercedes coupe.
Leading Senior Constable Kendra Jackson said both cars then fled the area.
No shots were fired during the incident and two male and two female store attendants, aged in their 30s and 50s, were not physically injured.
The offenders are described as aged in their early 20s, with thin builds and Australian accents.