Police hunt after armed robbery

Published on 8th November 2007 in News

Police are appealing for witnesses to a robbery at Tesco Express in Crowle, in which staff were allegedly threatened with a weapon.

The robbery happened around 9.03pm on Tuesday at the High Street store.

Two men were seen standing at the entrance to the shop shortly before the robbery, allegedly watching the till area.

One man went into the store and jumped over the counter before a member of staff approached. The man is said to have pulled out a weapon before demanding cash from the tills and grabbing all the notes and coins from an open till. He then left the store with the other man, who had remained at the entrance. Both ran off towards High Street.

Detectives are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area during the time of the robbery and who may have witnessed the incident. They are also looking to trace the owners of a red Renault Clio which was parked in the car park at the time of the incident, as they may be able to help with inquiries.

The man who entered the store was around 5ft 11in tall and of slim build. He was said to be in his late teens or early 20s and was wearing a white baseball cap, coloured gloves, a camouflage hooded top, dark bottoms and white trainers. He was also said to have been carrying a weapon which was possibly a cutlass-type sword.

The second man, who remained at the entrance, was around 5ft 9in tall and of a similar age.

He was wearing a dark baseball cap, a dark hooded top and dark tracksuit bottoms, tucked into white trainers.

Police responded to the call quickly and sent patrol cars and an armed response team to the area.

A search was carried out but the suspects had left the scene.

Superintendent Chris Baker said: "This was undoubtedly a frightening experience for those involved but I would like to offer some reassurance to the local community.

"Not only did this incident receive an appropriately swift response, we are now making strenuous inquiries to trace the offenders.

"It may well be that they are not natives of this area and so, among other things, we are in contact with neighbouring police forces. Fortunately this type offence is very rare, particularly in this area."

Anyone with any information about the incident or who has seen the suspects should contact Humberside Police on 0845 6060 222, quoting log 648 of November 6, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.