Detectives from the Armed Crime Squad have charged a man following an alleged armed robbery at a gaming venue in Dandenong.
A 43-year-old Ferntree Gully man, already in custody for unrelated offending, was charged with one count of armed robbery with a firearm.
He will appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on July 12.
The charge follows an incident where a woman was allegedly held up at gunpoint at a Scott St gaming venue on Saturday, May 20.
The woman told Police she had parked in a laneway near the venue to begin work when she was approached by a man with a firearm about 6am.
The man allegedly forced the woman from her car and into the business where he stole a significant amount of money from a gaming machine.
The woman was not physically injured during the incident.
Detectives initially believed up to $140,000 was taken, however it is now believed to be significantly less.
Police are also yet to recover the cash canisters which were stolen on the night and used to store the money from the premises.
These canisters were locked and investiga-
tors believe they may have been dumped somewhere in the eastern suburbs.
Police have released photos of these canisters.
Investigators are urging anyone who has seen the canisters not to open them and to come forward and speak to police.
It is believed there are others involved in the incident and the investigation remains ongoing.