The hunt is on for two biker bandits, who used a lump hammer to smash their way into a Wigan hotel, knock the manager to the ground and speed off with the night’s takings on Bank Holiday Monday.
The duo smashed their way into the Crown Hotel on Platt Lane, Standish, wearing motorbike helmets with the black visors down to conceal their faces, at around midnight on May 25.
After breaking a glass pane on the back door, the criminals confronted the hotel manager who was stood at the hotel’s reception area cashing the night’s takings.
One thief, who was wielding the lump hammer (a small sledge hammer), knocked the unsuspecting manager to the ground and stood on his lower back before demanding the cash.
Detective Constable Andrew Hill said: “The manager was understandably shocked to be confronted by these two masked intruders, and was then subjected to a terrifying ordeal where he was threatened with a hammer and forcibly pinned to the ground.
“Thankfully he did not sustain any serious physical injuries but the emotional trauma he suffered was immense.
“We need to find these two offenders and that is why we are appealing to anyone with information to come forward.”
Once the cash and the tips for the staff were taken, the two men fled the hotel and got onto a motorbike before riding off down a farm track opposite towards the Coppull area.
The two thieves are described as wearing motorcycle helmets with black visors. One was about 6ft 2in tall, of a large build and wearing a black jacket, blue jeans and white trainers.
Police are now appealing to anyone who has information about the robbery to come forward.
Dc Hill said: “In particular, I want to hear from anyone who saw these two men either pull up outside the hotel or leave on a motorbike, or anyone who might have seen two men on a motorbike in the Coppull area at about the time of the robbery.
“If you can help us identify these men or you have any information then please come forward.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Image courtesy of Ray Forster, with thanks.
