A masked duo, brandishing a sword and a hammer, has raided the tills of a Rochdale supermarket – police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
The armed thieves, who were clad in balaclavas, entered the Co-Operative store on Sutherland Road in Heywood, Lancashire, at around 6pm on Monday July 27.
The thugs went behind the counter and prised open the tills before stealing cash.
A member of staff, who was on duty at the time, has been left ‘extremely traumatised’ after the offender wielding the sword threatened them – nobody was hurt during the robbery.
Detective Constable Nicholas Price said: “Thankfully, no one was physically injured during this robbery but the member of staff on duty was understandably extremely traumatised to be confronted by two men brandishing weapons.
“It is vital we identify these intruders and bring them to justice so that no other innocent members of the public can be targeted in this way.”
Both men fled the scene and it is believed they ran through the gardens between the back of Argyle Street and Gordon Way.
The man carrying the bladed weapon was said to be white, about 5ft 7in tall, of a medium build and wearing black tracksuit bottoms, a black top with the hood up, a black balaclava and white trainers. He spoke with a local accent.
The other man was white, wearing black trousers with a white stripe down the side, a black top with the hood pulled up and dark trainers. He was said to have spoken with a northern accent.
Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen or heard anything, or have any information to come forward and help with their investigation.
DC Price said: “I would therefore appeal to anyone who has information about the robbery to come forward.
“If you saw these men either going into or fleeing the store, or men fitting their description hanging around the area acting suspiciously at about the time of the robbery, then please come forward as you could have vital information that will help us.”
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 8701 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Image courtesy of Google Maps, with thanks.
