A volatile and dangerous bandit has shot at a Melbourne factory worker and held her hostage before fleeing and holding up a takeaway food store.
Police say they are looking for a "dangerous character" who also threatened a second woman with a gun at the takeaway store.
Armed Crime Squad Detective Sergeant Paul Lloyd said it was obvious the man was out of control.
"Obviously it's a very dangerous, volatile person out there; somebody who is prepared to go to great lengths to escape capture and do what he wants to do to get to the end result," he told reporters.
The man first forced his way into a Sunshine West factory at 5am on Wednesday.
The bandit confronted an employee who was alone at the premises and discharged the gun towards her, causing minor injuries to her arm.
When police got there they were confronted by the armed man holding the woman.
He only let her go when he made his getaway on a motorbike.
Det Sgt Lloyd said it was not the first time the premises had been burgled and that was an avenue being pursued by police.
"Obviously someone coming here knows what they want," he said.
Just 25 minutes later, the same man held up a takeaway food store less than 10km away in Derrimut.
He again threatened a female employee with a gun before stealing cash from the register and leaving on the motorbike.
The factory worker has been taken to hospital for treatment.
Det Sgt Lloyd said police were not yet sure whether the injuries were from a direct shot or damage caused by the discharge.
The man is described as about 183cm tall, of solid build, wearing dark clothing and a full face helmet.
It's believed the man could still be armed.
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