Police are appealing for public assistance following an armed robbery at a service station in St Albans on 24 Feb.

It’s believed four male offenders entered the business just before 9.30pm armed with hammers.

One offender jumped the counter and stole cigarettes. A second offender made the store attendant open the cash register, the offender then stole all the cash.

The men then fled the store and headed toward Percy Street.

During the incident a vehicle pulls up to the entrance of the service station and then is seen moving to the car park nearby.

Police are appealing for the driver and or passengers of this vehicle to contact police as they may be able to assist with the investigation.

Police are hunting for thieves who attempted to steal an ATM in Hoppers Crossing early this morning.

It is believed that the offenders disabled the power at a Kilmur Road business at the power box at the rear of the cafe about 2.50am.

The offenders then rammed a vehicle into the north facing glass window of the building.

It is alleged the offenders then entered the premises and secured a metal cable around the ATM, before attempting to remove it.

But the cable snapped and the offenders drove the vehicle away.

Hume Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a second man in relation to the armed robbery of a bank in Bonwick Street, Fawkner on 6 January 2012.

On 7 January, investigators arrested and charged 37-year-old Gregorio Lo Grasso with armed robbery and arson.

The Taylors Hill man was remanded into custody and will face court at a later date.

Police arrested 49-year-old Reservoir man Adriano Paoletti, this morning and he has since been charged with armed robbery and arson.

He has been remanded to appear for a filing hearing at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.

Police are appealing for information following last Sunday’s armed robbery of a hotel in Lara.

Investigators believe a man wearing distinctive white framed sunglasses and black t-shirt with white pattern entered the Hicks Street premises at 10.36pm.

After hiding in the toilets, he has confronted a member of staff at gunpoint at 11.30pm before marching them into the gaming area.

The offender has then forced a female staff member to hand over a quantity of cash contained in a blue pencil case.

On receiving the loot the offender fled the venue and was last seen walking through the bottle shop towards Hicks Street.

Investigators believe he was driven from the scene in a vehicle similar to a white 1999-2003 Ford AU XR6 or XR8 sedan.

He’s described as between 19 and 25-years-old, thinly built and approximately 165-170cm tall.

Police believe the man may also be displaying signs of new found wealth compared to his usual financial state.

To help further the investigation, police have released CCTV footage and photos of the incident

Police are appealing for public assistance following an armed robbery at a Northcote hotel early this morning.

Detectives have been told that a balaclava clad man ran into the hotel through the smoking area on the corner of St Georges Road and Merri Parade around 3am.

The offender, allegedly armed with a firearm, approached staff and made demands for cash.

Staff complied and the bandit fled the scene with a substantial amount of cash. He was last seen running through nearby parkland.

The man is described as 180cm tall with a thin build. He was wearing a blue cap and balaclava with a black windcheater, blue pants, white runners and blue gloves.

Investigators have released an image of a man that may assist with their enquiries

Police are investigating an armed robbery at a Malvern pizza shop last night.

Investigators have been told an unknown male offender entered the High Street shop just after 11pm, armed with a shot gun.

The offender, who was wearing a balaclava, demanded staff hand over cash.

Staff complied and the thief fled the store in an unknown direction.

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

The offender has been described as Caucasian, about 170cm tall and medium build.

He was wearing a long-sleeved, black hooded top and cargo pants.

Maroondah CIU detectives are appealing for witnesses after thieves stole $7000 worth of jewellery from a retail store in Ringwood last month.

Investigators believe a man and woman entered the jewellery store, which is located in a shopping centre on the Maroondah Highway, on Tuesday 10 January about 1pm.

Police have been told the unknown woman distracted staff while the unknown man reached behind the counter and allegedly stole a diamond ring, a pendant and a pair of earrings.

The pair then left the store and drove away from the shopping centre in a vehicle, believed to be a 1990 to 1992 white Nissan Maxima sedan with a sun roof.

The female is described as Caucasian, aged between 20 and 30 years old, with blonde hair and was wearing a light coloured top, a white cardigan and carrying a shopping bag.

The male offender is described as Caucasian with a slim build, dark short hair and was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, ripped jeans and black shoes.

Police have released images of a man and woman that they believe may be able to help with their investigation and a vehicle police are searching for.

Police are investigating an armed robbery which occurred at a hotel in Hicks Street Lara last night.

Members believe that a man hid in the male toilets at the venue around 10.30pm.

At 11.30pm a male staff member went to use the facilities and was confronted by the bandit.

A handgun was produced by the offender and the victim was frog marched into the gaming area.

The offender has then forced a female staff member to hand over a quantity of cash contained in a blue pencil case.

On receiving the loot the offender fled the venue and was last seen on Clover Street.

He is described as Caucasian, approximately 183 centimetres tall, thin build and with collar length brown hair.

At the time of the incident he was wearing a black t-shirt with white patter, white sunglasses, a red scarf and tight black jeans.

Police have arrested four males following a series of alleged armed robberies and assaults on taxi drivers in Hoppers Crossing and Werribee since late last month.

It comes after a man identifying himself as ‘Ben’ called a taxi to Fisher Court in Werribee about 2.30am today.

Once the taxi arrived, it is alleged the male sat in the front passenger seat while two other males wearing balaclavas opened the driver’s door and assaulted him, before stealing his keys and wallet.

It is alleged the two males produced knives and demanded cash, before the taxi driver handed over notes to one of them and the other stole a coin dispenser.

Investigators have been told a fourth male offender then allegedly graffitied the taxi with green spray paint.

The four offenders left with the victim’s keys, wallet and cash east towards the Heathdale Glen Orden Wetlands.

Shortly afterwards, police arrested four males in the vicinity of the wetlands.

The incident is believed to be linked to three assaults and armed robberies on taxi drivers in Hoppers Crossing and Werribee from January 29 until January 31, 2011.

On all four occasions the offenders were armed with a knife and wearing balaclavas when they assaulted the taxi drivers.

A 16-year-old Hoppers Crossing boy, a 17-year-old Werribee boy, and an 18-year-old Werribee man are expected to be charged with four counts of armed robbery and recklessly causing serious injury.

A 16-year-old Tarneit boy is expected to be charged with three counts of armed robbery and recklessly causing serious injury.

Police are investigating an armed robbery which occurred at a service station in Seaford on 22 January.

Investigators have been told that a man entered the Frankston-Dandenong Road premises around 3am

He threatened the attendant with a knife and forced her to open and empty out the cash register.

He took the till’s contents and left the store.

The offender is described as Caucasian, in his early 20s, slim build and at the time of the offence was wearing a dark top, shorts and a cap.

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