Armed Crime Taskforce detectives are investigating an armed robbery at an East Bentleigh hotel overnight.

Investigators have been told that three men armed with firearms entered the premises on Centre Road around 3.50am.

Dressed in black balaclavas, the men forced patrons to lie on the floor and stole a large amount of cash before leaving the hotel through the car park entrance on to East Boundary Road.

The men are described as being of average build and height and were wearing dark hooded jackets, runners and tracksuit pants.

Police are investigating and would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident.

Police are investigating an armed robbery of a Camberwell bank this morning.

Police have been told that a man entered the Burke Street store about 10.45am armed with what is believed to be a firearm.

The man, wearing a mullet style wig, stole an amount of cash before exiting the store through the rear entrance.

No shots were fired and no one was injured during the incident.

Police are investigating and would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident.

Police are investigating an armed robbery which occurred at a fast food restaurant in Preston on 13 March.

Investigators have been told that a man entered the Bell Street premises around 1.20am.

He approached the counter and threatened staff with a syringe containing a red coloured liquid.

Staff were forced to hand over cash before the man left the store and ran off along Bell Street.

The offender is described as Caucasian, 180 centimetres tall, medium build and at the time of the offence was wearing a ‘Jet pilot” t-shirt, brown cap and blue shorts.

Police have released an image of a man that they believe may be able to assist with their investigation.

Police are investigating two attempted armed robberies which occurred in Reservoir on 31 January.

Investigators have been told that a man entered a milk bar on Amery Street around 2.15pm.

He produced a knife and demanded that the attendant hand over cash.

The shopkeeper refused and the man left the store.

Investigators believe that the same offender attended another milk bar on Gellibrand Crescent at 3:05pm.

He again used a knife, made the same demands of the shopkeeper, was refused and ran from the store empty handed.

Police have released images of a man that they believe may be able to help with their investigation.

Police are investigating an armed robbery at a fast food restaurant in Sydenham this week.

Investigators believe three men entered the 24 hour restaurant, located at the corner of Calder Park Drive and Melton Highway, armed with an axe, baseball bat and hammer about 2.40am on Wednesday 14 March.

The offenders, all wearing gloves and shirts covering their faces, smashed furnishings in the store before making demands for cash.

The thieves then fled with money from the registers and a handbag and wallet, belonging to staff members.

One of the offenders also allegedly manhandled a staff member in the store during the incident.

He suffered minor redness to his arms.

Police are appealing for witnesses to an armed robbery and two robberies involving serious assaults which occurred in Yarraville on 14 March.

The armed robbery occurred around 8.15pm at a liquor outlet at the Yarraville Shopping Centre on Williamstown Road.

The first of two street robberies occurred at the intersection of Dickons and Williamstown Roads while the second incident occurred at 10.45pm on Anderson Street in Yarraville.

The victim was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital with serious facial injuries.

Two 17-year-old boys, both from Footscray, were charged following the incident and were remanded in custody to appear in a children’s court in April.

Meanwhile, an 19-year-old Hoppers Crossing man has been remanded in custody to appear in court at a later date, while an 18-year-old Tarneit man was charged and bailed to face the Melbourne Magistrate’s Court on 17 April.

All four were charged with a range of offences, including robbery, armed robbery, intentionally causing serious injury and recklessly causing serious injury.

Police are investigating an armed robbery which occurred at a service station in Barwon Heads late last night.

Investigators have been told that a man entered the premises on the corner of Geelong Road and Golf Links Road just before 11pm, when he produced a black handled knife and demanded the money till tray from the attendant.

It is believed the offender took a substantial amount of cash before leaving the scene west on Geelong Road.

The man is described as Caucasian, aged in his 20s, about 176cm tall with a medium build.

He was last seen wearing a black hooded jumper, black shorts with a blue stripe and black runners.

Police have released the below images of a man they believe can assist with their enquiries.

Police are investigating two armed robberies in Thornbury and Northcote that they believe may be linked.

On Friday 17 February a man walked into a convenience store on High Street around 5.20am.

He approached the attendant and threatened him with a pole before and allegedly saying, “I want the money to buy drugs. Give me money”.

The attendant was ushered to the counter area and the offender stole the cash register.

He is described as 170 centimetres tall, solid build and at the time of the offence was wearing jeans and a black top.

Police believe that this incident may be linked to a robbery which occurred at a service station in High Street Northcote on 23 December.

Investigators previously made an appeal for information in relation to the Northcote robbery and are particularly keen to speak to an anonymous caller who contacted Crime Stoppers stating that they knew who the offender was.

Detective Acting Sergeant Shawn Kostiw said that police had been visiting local service stations and convenience stores to discuss their security arrangements.

“We remind staff to be extra vigilant while on night shift as most of the robberies have been occurring between 11pm and 7am”, he said.

Police are appealing for witnesses following an armed robbery at a service station in Lyndhurst yesterday morning.

Investigators have been told a man entered the store on Dandenong-Hastings Road around 2.45 armed with what is believed to be a small axe.

He confronted a staff member, demanding cash.

The 32-year-old store attendant locked himself in a back room while the offender seized items from the front counter, placing them in a black backpack.

Dandenong Embona Taskforce detectives are investigating the incident and have released images of the man they believe may be able to assist them with their enquiries.

The man police wish to speak to is described as being Caucasian, aged between 25-30, 183cm tall, of medium build with brown hair.

He was wearing a black hooded Jumper, black tracksuit pants with three stripes down the outside of the leg, white sneakers and a white glove over his left hand.

Victoria Police is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension and subsequent conviction of persons responsible for a series of armed robberies on gaming venues in Melbourne’s north-west suburbs.

To date, it is believed up to 33 armed robberies are linked to this series since June 2011.

A dedicated taskforce, Taskforce Sampson, has spent the past few months reviewing all of the robberies, investigating leads and targeting suspects.

Detective Superintendent Kevin Sheridan from North West Metro Region said he believed the $50,000 reward could provide the key to unlocking critical information.

“We believe there are people in the community who are in possession of vital information regarding these armed robberies,” Detective Superintendent Sheridan said.

“Investigating these armed robberies is a top priority for Victoria Police and all available resources are being put into finding and prosecuting those involved.

“Police are working tirelessly to ensure those responsible for these armed robberies are taken off the streets. People have a right to feel safe in their own community and at work.”

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Paul Lunt, who leads the taskforce, said they had already charged a number of people with a range of serious offences such as armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, common law assault and firearm offences.

Police have also increased their visible presence around gaming venues over recent months.

Investigators have released images from the armed robberies in the hope someone may be able to identify them or provide further information.

A map of where the armed robberies occurred has also been released and includes the following:

• 6 June 2011 – Meadow Inn
• 8 June 2011 – Glenroy RSL
• 8 June 2011 – Sylvania Hotel
• 16 June 2011 – Moreland Hotel
• 17 June 2011 – Windy Hill Tabaret
• 21 June 2011 – Waterloo Hotel
• 24 June 2011 – Glenroy RSL
• 27 June 2011 – Lalor Bowling Club
• 4 July 2011 – Sylvania Hotel
• 13 July 2011 – Lalor Bowling Club
• 6 August 2011 – Skyways Tavern
• 10 August 2011 – Thomastown TAB
• 26 August 2011 – Fawkner RSL
• 1 September 2011 – Pascoe Vale Hotel
• 28 September 2011 – Ivanhoe Hotel
• 1 October 2011 – Yarra Valley Country Club
• 9 October 2011 – Skyways Tavern
• 10 October 2011 – Watergardens Tavern
• 10 October 2011 – West Meadows Tavern
• 15 October 2011 – Keilor Hotel
• 19 October 2011 – Northern Bingo Club
• 28 October 2011 – Coolaroo Hotel
• 28 October 2011 – Preston TAB
• 31 October 2011 – Glenroy RSL
• 31 October 2011 – Lalor Bowling Club
• 3 November 2011 – Lalor Bowling Club
• 9 November 2011 – Coolaroo Hotel
• 12 November 2011 – Rose Shamrock
• 12 November 2011 – Sylvania Hotel
• 15 November 2011 – Preston Hotel
• 19 November 2011 – Lalor Bowling Club
• 11 January 2012 – Zagames Reservoir Hotel

Police are also looking at whether an armed robbery at the Glengala Hotel on 20 June, 2011 may also have links to the other incidents. The image above left of the man walking through the glass door was taken at the Glengala Hotel and police are keen to speak to the man to see if he has information that can assist with their investigation.