Police hunting an armed gang who robbed a bookmakers in Pendlebury believe the men carried out three attacks in the same day.
The broad daylight attack saw three men threaten staff with a sledgehammer before stealing just £215.
At the time the men were are described as being white, approximately 5ft 10in tall, and wearing black balaclavas with khaki green parka coats.
Brandishing hammers they smashed the screens of gambling machines and demanded money from the lone female cashier.
Firearms police raced to Stan James on Bolton Road at around 4.30pm on Monday 4 January after reports the gang of three had a gun.
Read: Swinton bookmakers hit by armed robbers
The branch of Stan James hit by armed thieves on Monday 4 January
Police searched the area on arrival but found no trace of the thieves.
Now it’s emerged that just two hours later, two men armed with a yellow-handled hammer robbed an off-licence in the Breightmet area of Bolton, some eight miles away.
This time the men were caught on camera.
Detectives have now released CCTV images of two armed thieves.
At around 6.35pm on Monday 4 January 2016, they threatened a terrified female shopkeeper at Kentmere Wines and Groceries on Kentmere Road.
One of the men screamed, “Where is the money’, over and over, while the other pushed his way behind the counter and grabbed £270-worth of cigarettes.
When the shopkeeper pushed the panic button the men fled.
Both are described as being white and around 6ft tall.
It’s understood the men are also being linked to a third robbery on the same evening in Bolton.
Detective Constable Jim Dean said: “The victim showed incredible bravery to face up to these hammer-wielding thugs and attempted to alert the police.
“Thankfully these men were not willing to follow through with their threat of violence and left without injuring her.
“But they still went armed to cause serious injury, and as such it is important we identify these offenders and prevent them from subjecting another innocent person to a terrifying robbery.
“If you recognise either of these men, please contact police.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident number 040116/1812 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Main image: Stan James, Bolton Road – Google Street View
