Armed offenders have again struck at a gaming venue in Laverton that was the target of a violent Middle Eastern crime gang last year.
Police said three offenders stormed Club Laverton on Aviation Road at 8.25pm on Tuesday armed with a gun and a machete.
They threatened staff and punters and got away with cash.
Police said no one was seriously injured.
Armed crime taskforce detectives are investigating the incident at the pokies venue, which was held-up on June 8 last year by a Middle Eastern crime gang.
The gang robbed eight venues in Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs in the space of three months, stealing more than a $100,000.
Patrons were assaulted during the spate that began on June 2, which involved venues at Epping, Laverton, Thomastown, Moonee Ponds, Kealba and Fawkner.
It is not clear if this week’s armed robbery was linked.
Police had said previously that between two and four people were involved with last year’s attacks.
A 22-year-old Roxburgh Park man and a 16-year-old boy have been arrested.
The 22-year-old was charged with seven armed robberies, one attempted armed robbery, seven counts of possessing a firearm, five counts of stealing a car and other driving offences.
He was remanded to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on January 29.
The teenager was charged with four armed robberies, one attempted armed robbery, three counts of stealing a car, one of possessing the proceeds of crime, possessing a gun and theft offences.
He was remanded to face a Children’s Court.
This story first appeared in The Age
