A ‘brutal’ gang of men who raided an Aldi supermarket in Moss Side armed with a machete and a sledgehammer were foiled yesterday – by a door handle.
The violent scenes took place around 9.45am yesterday morning, where upon entering the store, the gang of four targeted Royal Mail staff making a cash delivery at the supermarket.
Terrified staff were forced into an office off the shop floor by the machete and sledgehammer wielding thugs, who demanded cash.
However, after causing damage to the inside door handle, the clumsy thieves were momentarily trapped inside the office.
Following unsuccessful attempts to smash a window and escape, the gang managed to reassemble part of the handle before running off empty handed through the shop.
Staff members were threatened with violence and some were attacked during the attempted robery.
A security guard making a cash delivery was hit across his back and shoulder by an offender with a sledgehammer.
He had to be taken to hospital for treatment to his malicious injuries.
Detective Sergeant Doug Cowan said: “Various staff members have been threatened and some people injured, one quite seriously having been hit with a sledgehammer.
“The robbers have used unnecessary levels of violence and intimidation during the raid. Various staff members have been threatened and some people injured.
“None of the victims offered any resistance, making this attack all the more unwarranted and brutal – proving that these men are at ease terrifying and attacking innocent people and using whatever force necessary in pursuit of their aims.”
The four offenders were all white men and were wearing balaclavas, making their getaway in a white BMW One series, registration MT62 KKE.
The car was reported stolen from an address in Cheetham Hill on the Saturday evening.
Detective Sergeant Cowan has appealed for information related to the bungled raid, particularly information relating to the stolen getaway vehicle which will have been stored in the two evenings prior to the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 6104, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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