Police have released these images of one of the men they seek.
By LAURA WAKELY
POLICE are offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a network of gangs terrorising gambling venues across the North-West.
Taskforce Sampson has been investigating 33 armed robberies at 23 venues between June 2011 and January 2012, starting at the Meadow Inn in Fawkner on 6 June.
The Lalor Bowling Club has been hit five times by the group on 27 June, 13 July, 31 October, 3 November and 19 November.
The Thomastown TAB was also targeted by the group on 10 August.
In the Hume area, the Glenroy RSL was held up on 8 June, 24 June and 31 October, the Sylvania Hotel on 18 June, 4 July and 12 November, the Coolaroo Hotel on 28 October and 9 November and the Westmeadows Tavern on 10 October.
In Brimbank, Airport West’s Skyways Tavern was hit on 6 August and 9 October, the Glengala Hotel on 20 June, the Watergardens Tavern on 10 October and Keilor Hotel days later on 15 October.
Offenders wore hoodies or fluoro workmen’s vests and used sawn-off shotguns, pistols, revolvers, machetes and knives in a number of the robberies, which also involved gaming venues in Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Pascoe Vale, Brunswick, Reservoir, Preston, Ivanhoe and Bulleen.
In one incident an offender fired a shot next to a staff member and North West Metropolitan Region Detective Superintendent Kevin Sheridan said many of the gaming staff were still “traumatised” by the events.
He hoped the reward would encourage anyone who had any information about the armed robberies to come forward.
“The amount of the reward and the fact that it is being offered reflects our concern of the level of violence in the community associated with these armed robberies and we want to stop them and bring the people responsible before the courts,” Detective Superintendent Sheridan said.
He said police had increased visible patrols and worked on proactive crime prevention in the venues.
“The venues have quite good security,” he said.
“They have CCTV, physical guards and they have other security measures in their buildings. “But they’re up against armed, desperate offenders who put a considerable amount of planning and organisation into their crimes.”
Police have charged four men in their mid-20s with armed robbery, common law assault and firearm offences, but believe more are involved.
Detective Superintendent Sheridan said police believed up to three gangs were involved and that the offenders have not committed any more armed robberies since hitting Zagames Reservoir Hotel on 11 January this year.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au.
