Armed robber threatens staff at Runcorn shop (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Robber armed with knife and a gun steals cash from shop safe

3:14pm Tuesday 28th August 2012 in News By Barbara Jordan

AN armed robber threatened staff as they locked up a Runcorn shop, police revealed today.

The man, wielding a hand gun and a knife, approached staff outside the Co-op store in Ridgeway, Murdishaw, at around 10pm on Thursday, August 23.

They had just locked the back door when he demanded they open it and disarm the alarm.

He forced them to open the safe and he escaped with a quantify of cash.

He fled towards a nearby bridge.

Two weapons, an air gun and a knife were discovered by police officers near the scene.

DC Anthony Sullivan, who is investigating the incident, said: "Fortunately no-one was injured but staff at the shop have been left extremely shaken by what happened.

"We take any incidents of this nature extremely seriously and are currently carrying out a number of enquiries in a bid to trace the offender. These include house-to-house enquiries, CCTV enquiries and any relevant forensic enquiries.

"We are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time and has seen the man as he has approached the store or has seen anyone acting suspiciously in the local area to come forward. Even the smallest amount of information can be vital when piecing together a case.”

Anyone with information can Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 1065 of 23 August or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 .