POLICE across the state were on high alert last night for two armed bandits who bound five workers at Cazalys before stealing the club's takings.
Cairns detectives yesterday launched a statewide manhunt for the pair after the heist, warning they are dangerous and should not be approached.
The robbery, which took about 20 minutes, had all the hallmarks of a well-planned operation, in which the movements of staff may have been watched and the club monitored before hand.
It is believed the bandits had been hiding in the carpark waiting for employees before they struck.
Wearing balaclavas and armed with a gun and an iron bar, the men ambushed two senior managers in the club's rear carpark as they finished work about 1.30am yesterday.
They then confronted three cleaners and used heavy-duty zip ties to bind the five workers before locking them in one of the club's function rooms.
The bandits raided a safe believed to store most of the takings and stole one of the employee's cars to get away.
They were last seen heading down Tills St at Westcourt but the vehicle, a red Holden Barina, was found dumped at Dillon St.
Police said one of the managers freed himself, untied his colleagues and raised the alarm.
Cairns CIB Det Sen-Sgt Ed Kinbacher would not comment on the sum stolen but said it was "quite a substantial amount".
Cazalys' security footage has been seized and viewed and forensic officers have taken DNA swabs from the stolen car and the zip ties.
Crime Services Insp Peter Mansfield described the robbery as "well planned and well organised".
"Anyone who uses firearms in a robbery would have to be considered a dangerous person," he said.
"At this stage their identities aren't known."
Cazalys Cairns general manager Jason Salecich received the news about 2am and said he feared for the safety of his colleagues.
"It's not about the money," he said.
"It is about the welfare of our staff who were involved in this awkward and stressful event."
Mr Salecich said the club would provide counselling for staff.
He said the club would continue to operate and would not comment further "in order to allow police to carry out their investigations as promptly and efficiently as possible, and hopefully catch these desperate and cowardice offenders".
Insp Mansfield said the offenders used two blue and a green carry bags.
"They looked reasonably new and in good condition," he said.
The men wore full face balaclavas, only showing their eyes as well as a slit for their mouth.
"It's early in the investigation," Insp Mansfield said.
"We have some information we are following and I guess we will have to wait and see where that takes us."
Cazalys was named among the top 20 clubs in Queensland for generating money through poker machines.
The club's ranking was attributed to its more than 25,000 members, a healthy tourist trade and a high volume of customers.
In May 2009, Cazalys Cairns donated $2.5 million through cash and in-kind donations, sponsorships, grants and rent in a two-year period.
Det Sen-Sgt Kinbacher said anyone who has seen bags similar to those used by the offenders, or anyone who had sold bags of the same description, should call police.
The two men are described as being 183cm tall with slim builds. They wore black balaclavas, gloves, dark tops and grey trackpants.
Anyone with information should call Cairns police on 4030 7000 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
