Kealba Hotel staff were threatened by two men wielding a sawn-off shotgun and sword, and patrons were forced to the floor in a terrifying armed robbery last week.
Two male offenders arrived at the venue in a white, late-model Toyota Camry about 2.30am last Tuesday.
Armed Crime Taskforce Detective Acting Inspector Everett Moutsidis said the offenders threatened staff and forced patrons to the floor before escaping with a large sum of money.
They were last seen on Main Road East.
“It was a brazen attack … very violent,” Detective Acting Inspector Moutsidis said. “The victims there at the time were under no illusion as to what was occurring and what the consequences would be if they weren’t compliant.”
He said that while the hotel had been targeted in the past, police believed there were no links between the latest robbery and earlier incidents.
Armed crime taskforce detectives are appealing for public assistance.
One offender wore a black hooded top, black track pants, with a cream-coloured cap and red sheet over the top of his hoodie.
The other was wearing black track pants, grey-hooded top with a black cap, and a blue sheet over the top of the hoodie.
Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Charlene Macaulay
