Shoppers shocked at masked robbers

Apr 15 2009 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

SECURITY staff were attacked by masked raiders who swooped as they filled a supermarket petrol station cash machine.

The bandits, clad in balaclavas, targeted the two guards as they arrived at the Sainsbury’s filling station.

Armed with a truncheon, they threatened the men and grabbed a cannister of cash before fleeing the scene shortly after 10.50am yesterday morning. Following the raid at the store on Etherstone Avenue, High Heaton, Newcastle, the site was closed to customers and a cordon was thrown up around the site. Onlookers and nearby residents said they were shocked by the raid.

Vicki Graham, 21, a teacher from Gosforth, Newcastle, said she had been at the scene in the immediate aftermath of the attack. She said: “I had just finished shopping There were a lot of police and they wouldn’t let people into the petrol station. It’s terrifying really because it was really busy at the time and there were a lot of people who could have been there.”

Another nearby homeowner, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “I can’t believe something like this has happened around here. It’s quite frightening.”

Detectives spent yesterday morning searching for clues and sifting through CCTV footage. And now they are trying to trace the cannister which contains a red powder dye that will leak when the security seal is breached. Officers are appealing for anybody who spots traces of the distinctive red paint to come forward with information. A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “Shortly after 10.50am two workers in a security van attended the Sainsbury’s filling station to fill the cash machine.

“One of the men was armed with what is believed to be a truncheon-type weapon and the two offenders took a cannister of cash.”

He added: “The cannister containing cash, which was stolen from a secure van during the robbery, is fitted with a security system. When the security system is breached it leaks a red powder dye. Police are keen for anyone who may have seen this dye on the ground to come forward. The dye may even be on the offenders’ clothing.”

The attackers were wearing high visibility jackets and concealed their faces under black balaclavas. They fled in a dark coloured vehicle. Police last night stressed the weapon was not used and no one was hurt in the attack.

Anyone with information should call 0345 604-3043.