Police are appealing for witnesses after an armed thief posed as a customer to rob a convenience shop in Boothstown.
Detectives believe he may have escaped the scene in a white 4×4 after threatening a female member of staff with a knife and fleeing with cash and cigarettes.
Police praised the woman, who was left ‘traumatised’ by the robbery, for her quick-thinking to keep herself safe.
At around 4.10pm on Wednesday 10 February, the thief walked into the Costcutter, at the corner of Ellenbrook Road and Haydock Road in Boothstown.
He asked for a packet of cigarettes, and when she turned around, he pulled out the blade and threatened to harm her, before demanding she empty cash from the till into a carrier bag.
He ran out of the store across Ellenbrook Road towards Leigh Road and it is believed he then ran down a ginnel that leads onto Rands Clough Drive, before getting into a white 4×4.
The man is described as being 5ft 8in tall, wearing a dark blue ski jacket with black pants and dark coloured trainers. When he entered the store he had his hood up and was wearing sun glasses.
Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen a white 4×4 vehicle in the area or a man matching this description around the time of the robbery.
Detective Constable Des Nellany from GMP’s Salford Division said:
“The female shop assistant was left traumatised by this incident but her calm, quick thinking helped keep her safe throughout the ordeal.
“I would like to appeal to anyone with any information relating to this crime to contact Police at Swinton Police Station on 0161 856 5470.”
Anybody with information should contact Police on 0161 856 5470 or alternatively, the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Main image: Costcutter Boothstown – Google Street View
