Detectives are appealing for public assistance as part of an ongoing investigation into a series of gaming venue armed robberies across the north and western suburbs of Melbourne.

Armed Crime Squad Detective Inspector Stephen Clark said the armed robberies, committed over the last three months, are all believed to be linked.

“It appears at this stage that the armed robberies have been committed by the same Middle Eastern crime syndicate,” D/Insp Clark said.

“On each occasion the offenders, who we believe are aged between 16 and 25-years, were armed with a firearm and an edged weapon and threatened staff.

“We have seen that the number of men involved in each incident has varied from two to four and they seem to enter the venue with no regard to who or how many people may be there.

“To this date in excess of $100,000 has been stolen.”

The armed robberies have occurred in:-

• O’Herns Road, Epping on 2 June 2014

• Aviation Rd, Laverton on 8 June 2014

• Mahoneys Rd, Thomastown on 17 June 2014

• Sunshine Ave, Kealba on 14 July 2014

• Sunshine Ave, Kealba on 22 July 2014

• Sydney Rd, Fawkner on 26 July 2014

• Sydney Rd, Fawkner on 1 August 2014

• Maribyrnong Rd, Moonee Ponds on 11 August 2014

Investigators have released CCTV footage and still images in the hope they will assist their investigation.

They have also released a FACE image of a person they believe will be able to assist with their enquiries.