Balaclava-wearing thieves burst into a Bolton off-licence armed with an axe and a knife – and fled with just a small amount of cash.
The two thugs raided the Bargain Booze store on Darwen Road at about 9pm last night, intent on causing the ‘maximum amount of fear’.
Smashing through the entrance brandishing their weapons, they started to push the two petrified shop assistants around, before forcing them into a back room and demanding money.
Detective Constable Phil Unsworth, of Bolton CID, said: “Thankfully, the shop assistants were not physically attacked.
“However, the mere fact both offenders were brandishing dangerous weapons in the form of an axe and a knife shows they were prepared to go to any lengths to cause the maximum amount of fear just to get their hands on some cash.”
The first thief is described as white, about 5ft 10in tall and was of a medium build.
He spoke with a northern accent. He was wearing a balaclava, a black adidas sweatshirt with white stripes on the arm and was carrying a jagged 10inch knife with a yellow handle.
His accomplice was white, of a stocky build, about 5ft 9in tall and spoke with a northern accent.
He was also wearing a black balaclava, dark clothing and had the hand axe.
Due to the sickening amount of violence it appears the offenders were prepared to use, police are trying to track them down immediately.
DC Unsworth added: “It is very important we find these two men and stop them before they can target anyone else.
“I would appeal to anyone who has information about what happened, or perhaps suspects who may be involved, to call us immediately.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 5772 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.
