Robbers may have staked out store

By Benedict O'Connor

ARMED robbers who subjected off-licence staff to a terrifying ordeal may have been staking out the premises for weeks before the raid.

Two balaclava-clad men burst into Unwins Wine Merchants on Eastgate Street, Bury St Edmunds at 3pm on Tuesday, brandishing a sawn-off double-barrelled shotgun and a knife.

Two members of staff, a man aged in his 50s and a woman in her 40s, were threatened before the robbers fled with cash and cigarettes.

Detective Inspector David Rutterford, of Bury St Edmunds police, said: “This must have been a terrifying experience for the two members of staff who have been left extremely shaken.

“It is possible that these offenders carried out observations on the store in the days or weeks leading up to the offence. We would therefore like to hear from anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the time leading up to the robbery.

“We are confident that these offenders would have had a vehicle waiting for them nearby. As they ran in the direction of the Vinefields, it is possible that this vehicle was somewhere on this housing estate.”

The robbers were described as about 5ft 10in tall, of medium build and wearing dark tracksuit bottoms with three white stripes down the sides, light-coloured roll-neck tops and gloves.

Anyone with information should contact Bury St Edmunds police on 01284 774100.

n Police were hunting last night a man who tried to rob a shop armed with a large kitchen knife.

The man went into Russell's Stores, in Churchill Way, Colchester, shortly after 5pm yesterday.

He brandished a large kitchen knife and demanded money, but fled left empty-handed after some children went into the shop.

The robber was described as white, aged in his mid-30s, about 6ft tall, with long, brown hair in a curtain style and wearing a grey hooded top with a number on it and jeans.

Anyone with information should contact Colchester police on 01206 762212.

benedict.o'connor@eadt.co.uk