Hunt for pokies gunmen

By SHAUN INGUANZO
POLICE are hunting two armed raiders who made off with thousands of dollars during a robbery at a Ferntree Gully hotel last week.
Two men wearing balaclavas entered the gaming lounge and approached the cashier’s desk where they produced handguns and threatened staff.
No one was injured despite two patrons, two venue staff and one security guard being involved in the incident. The incident happened at The Club hotel on the corner of Burwood Highway and Ferntree Gully Road about 3.30am on Wednesday 10 August.
Armed Offenders Squad detective sergeant Michael Engel would not disclose the specific amount of cash stolen but said it was ‘in the thousands’.
He described the incident as an ‘extremely serious violent crime’ and said the offenders’ actions were dangerous. “They menaced staff to the point where one got to his knees, and the potential for someone being seriously injured in these sort of circumstances is also very high simply for the fact that people are not in a position to be able to determine how offenders are thinking or intend to act,” he said.
But despite the stressful circumstances, Det Sergeant Engel said police were impressed with staff members’ conduct.
He said one man was targeted by the thieves who used him to get the money.
“Certainly after the incident as one would expect (the staff member) was fairly shocked but we were impressed by way he handled it.
“Management at hotel has been advised of the counselling services available to people involved in these sort of crimes.”
Det Sergeant Engel said it was too early to determine whether the men have been involved in other incidents.
He said police were investigating the incident with the aid of footage captured on the hotel’s security cameras.
The Armed Offenders Squad investigates all armed robberies committed at banks and gaming venues.
Det Sergeant Engel appealed to anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.