Police investigate double armed robbery link (From Crewe Guardian)

Police investigate double armed robbery link

10:06am Thursday 7th March 2013 in News By Matthew Taylor

Police are investigating whether two separate armed robberies at shops in Crewe were linked.

In the first, a man walked into Owens General Store in Wistaston Road and threatened a female member of staff with a knife before leaving with a quantity of cash.

Two days later, a woman behind the counter of Bargain Busters in Edleston Road was threatened by a man wielding a piece of broken glass.

He demanded money from the till but the shop assistant refused.

A struggle ensued but the offender opened the till himself and took some cash.

In each incident, the shop attendants were uninjured but left badly shaken.

The Owens General Store robbery occurred at 8.08pm on Friday, March 1.

The offender is described as white, 5ft 9ins to 5ft 10ins tall and of slim build. He had a local accent and was wearing a woollen knitted hooded top over his head, and grey Adidas bottoms.

He was last spotted heading along Flag Lane towards Batemans Court.

DC Andy Dixon said: "We are making extensive enquiries to trace the person responsible for this and would appeal to anyone who may have information to contact us.

“As the offender entered the store, a customer was leaving and walked past him. We would urge this man to contact us as he may have vital information that could help us with our investigation.”

Anyone with information should contact DC Dixon on 101, quoting incident 873 of 1 March 2013.

In the Bargain Busters raid, the offender entered the shop shortly after 10.20pm on Sunday, March 3.

After struggling with the shop keeper and stealing cash from the till, he fled the scene and was seen heading towards Lord Street.

PC Mark Davies said: "We are particularly keen to speak to two customers who understandably fled the scene at the beginning of the robbery.

“We would also urge anyone with information about this robbery to contact us so that we can identify the person responsible and bring them to justice."

PC Davies added: "We are also looking at the possibility of whether this robbery could possibly be linked to the robbery at Owens General Stores in Wistaston Road, which took place on Friday evening."

Anyone with information should contact PC Mark Davies at Congleton CID on 101 quoting incident number 939 of 3 March 2013.

Alternatively information to either of the crimes can be given anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.