Crime gang hits Vic pokies venues

A "brazen" Middle Eastern gang has made off with more than $100,000 from Melbourne pokies venues.

The gang is believed to be behind eight armed robberies at venues in Melbourne's north and west.

In each attack, gaming staff and patrons were terrorised with guns and knives by up to four men.

"Patrons have been assaulted and the offenders don't seem to care about how many people are in the venue," armed crime squad Detective Inspector Stephen Clark told reporters on Wednesday.

He said the robberies were strikingly similar.

Between two and four men, aged between 16 and 25, hit the venues between June 2 and August 11, across the suburbs of Epping, Laverton, Thomastown, Kealba, Fawkner and Moonee Ponds.

Police have charged two men, a 16 and 22-year-old from Roxburgh Park, in relation to three of the robberies.