Too close for comfort

Yesterday we visited a friend in Cabrini Hospital at about noon. We hadn't eaten, so instead of our usual brunch out, we decided to have a proper lunch out. Options were thrown into the hat and considered. Brighton Sea Baths? I was feeling a little broke, so I kind of vetoed that. A cafe in Elsternwick? Sand Bar cafe in Middle Park? The weather was warm and a seaside lunch might be nice, so we decided on Sand Bar.

We parked at 1:15 and had a very pleasant lunch, leaving a little less than an hour later. Had we have gone to Elsternwick, there could have been a little drama. At 1:40 this happened as reported in The Age. We would have been very close by.

Masked robbers wielding a handgun and machete have robbed an Elsternwick jewellery store in a frightening afternoon heist.

Three offenders with shirts on their heads stormed H and H Jewellery on Glenhuntly Road about 1.40pm.

Police said that the robbers threatened staff and stole jewellery before leaving in a waiting vehicle without registration plates, which was driven by another offender.

The vehicle drove south along Orrong Road.

It is believed the gang were later sighted on Gardenia Road in Gardenvale, where one of them  got out of a black Holden Commodore then jumped in a black Ford Territory.

Both vehicles drove off separately.

No shots were fired during the incident and no injuries have been reported.

The offenders were reported to be of African appearance.

An employee of the business, which also has stores in South Yarra and Collins Street, said they were shaken by the robbery.

"At this point in time we're still recovering, so if you could call back another time?"