Pokies venue hit by armed robbers again

Masked bandits threatened staff and patrons with a firearm during a robbery at Club Laverton on Saturday night.

The pokies venue was also robbed in January and was the target of a violent Middle Eastern crime gang last year.

Policeman, Leading Senior Constable Paul Turner said three men entered the Aviation Road venue on Saturday night.

“The offenders had their faces covered and threatened staff and patrons with a firearm at the Aviation Road business before making off with cash about 9.10pm,” he said.

“No one was injured and the investigation is ongoing.”

The trio sped away in a dark-coloured car.

TEEN BANDITS

Meanwhile, police say children as young as 15 and armed with guns and machetes are behind three separate spates of violent armed robberies on gaming venues in Melbourne’s north west.

One gang is believed responsible for 15 robberies between December 7 and March 7 at Laverton, St Albans, Craigieburn, Roxburgh Park, Keilor, Brunswick and Epping.

On January 20 at 8.25pm, three robbers armed with a gun and a machete stormed Club Laverton, threatening staff and patrons before fleeing with cash. It is not clear if Saturday’s incident was linked.

On June 8 last year, Club Laverton was held up by a Middle Eastern crime gang.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.