A pregnant woman has been attacked with a hammer by four masked men in a terrifying armed robbery in Melbourne's south-east.
Her attackers returned her mobile phone only after she told them it contained ultrasound photos of her unborn child.
The 24-year-old woman was walking along Walsh Street in Noble Park about 11.30pm on Tuesday, towards the intersection of Simpson Street, when the four men in a blue Ford Falcon XR 6 whistled at her.
Police said the woman quickly walked along Simpson Street and turned right onto Myrtle Street, but the men made a U-turn and drove up behind her.
The foursome pursued her down the street, before getting out of the car and threatening her.
The men, dressed in black and wearing dark ski masks, were wielding weapons.
"One was wielding an axe, another a hammer and a third a baseball bat," police spokesman Luke Zammit said.
They demanded her handbag, but before she could hand it over, one of the men swung the hammer at her.
"He swung it three times, with one blow striking her on the arm as she put her arms up to protect her head," Mr Zammit said.
The men grabbed her bag and returned to the car.
The woman pleaded for them to return her mobile phone, because it contained ultrasound photos of her baby. One of the offenders threw the phone onto the ground.
Her attackers made a U-turn, before speeding off along Heatherton Road.
Police believe the disturbing incident may be linked to an attempted carjacking in Huntingdale earlier that night.
A 25-year-old man told police a blue Ford Falcon G6 overtook him on Huntingdale Road before braking heavily and forcing him to stop opposite a locks factory about 11pm.
Three men then got out of the passenger doors of the Ford and approached the victim's car armed with hammers.
The victim, who was travelling with a 26-year-old man, then put his car in reverse and the offenders ran back into their car.
The victim made a U-turn and the Ford did the same, almost resulting in a collision.
Two of the offenders are described as being about 180 centimetres tall, while the other is believed to be about 170 centimetres tall.
All three men are perceived to be of African appearance.Their car appeared to be lowered and sounded as though it had a turbo engine.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.