CCTV has captured the moment a feckless robber held up a Stretford store in a desperate bid to get a POUND off a bottle of beer – before paying and donating his change to the nearby charity box.
The idiotic man had tried to buy two bottles of beer at the One Stop Store on Stretford, Trafford, at around 9.40am yesterday morning.
But when the 51-year-old shop assistant refused to give him the £1 off he demanded, he pulled a gun from his waist and cocked the weapon.
Most bizarrely, when the woman calmly informed him the police were on their way, he replied ‘I don’t want that’, paid £3 for just one beer and popped his change in the charity box.
Detective Constable Andy Warren said: “This was, quite frankly, a bizarre robbery the likes of which I have never come across before. Quite what the offender was thinking I do not know but his actions were extremely strange.
“However, I want to be absolutely clear that while some might find his behaviour odd, this is no laughing matter.
“He pulled out a gun and cocked it in an intimidating manner in front of a shop worker who had no idea what he was going to do and whether he would genuinely fire the weapon.
“For her it was a terrifying experience and we therefore need to catch this man before he tries anything like this again.”
The man, thought to be in his mid-20s, is described as white with a shaved head.
He was said to be 5ft 5in to 5ft 8in tall and heavily built, with a fat face and wearing a black baseball cap with a motif on its peak.
He was also wearing a burgundy jacket with light coloured sleeves, dark trousers, light-coloured shoes, a dark coloured T-shirt with an unknown emblem on the front and jeans.
“We have released a CCTV still of the man and I would appeal to anyone who recognises this man to come forward,” added Detective Constable Warren.
“I also want shopkeepers in the local area to be vigilant and study this picture. If this man comes into your shop, do not wait for him to try something similar but call the police immediately.”
Anyone with information should call police on 101 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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