DETECTIVES investigating an armed robbery at a convenience shop in Warrington are appealing for information and footage from the public.
At around 8.30pm last Saturday (Feb 16) a man brandishing a firearm entered the McColl’s shop at the Oakwood Centre on Admirals Road in Birchwood.
The offender threatened members of staff and demanded money from the tills.
He also threatened a man who entered the shop as a customer after him.
The offender left the shop via the front door with a quantity of cash in a plastic McColl’s bag and a packet of cigarettes. He ran round to the back of the building and fled via Whitethroat Walk towards a housing estate.
The man is described as white and around 5′ 8″ tall and was wearing all dark clothing, including a hooded top with the hood up.
He had a cap underneath the hood as well as something covering the bottom half of his face.
Enquiries in relation to the incident are ongoing and detectives are urging anyone who thinks they may have seen the offender either before or after the robbery to come forward.
They also want to speak to anyone who believes they may know who the offender is or have CCTV or dashcam footage of him.
Detective Constable Tom Ashton, from Warrington CID, said: “This was a terrifying incident and the shop workers and the customer who were threatened by the offender have understandably been left extremely shaken up.
“It has not yet been established whether the gun he was carrying was real or imitation. The weapon was not discharged and no injuries were reported.
“I would like to assure residents that incidents such as these are rare and we are doing everything we can to identify the offender and bring him to justice.
“Enquiries in relation to the incident are ongoing and as part of our investigation I am appealing for anyone who was in the area between 8.15pm and 8.45pm on Saturday 16 February and thinks they have seen the offender to get in touch.
“The same goes for anyone who thinks they have may CCTV or dashcam footage of him or know his identity.
“If you can help or have any other information that may aid our investigation please contact the team here at Warrington Police Station or independent charity Crimestoppers. You can do so anonymously.”
Anyone with information or CCTV footage that may be relevant to the ongoing investigation should call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, quoting IML 324243, give the details via https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
To submit dashcam footage go online at www.cheshire.police.uk/advice-and-support/roads-and-vehicle-safety/submit-dashcam-footage.
