Police appeal after axe-wielding gang rob Co-op store

Picture courtesy of Greater Manchester Police

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Police have released CCTV footage following an armed robbery in Rochdale, which left staff at a shop ‘frightened’.

Shortly before 7.25pm last Thursday (December 13), four masked offenders, one armed with an axe, entered the Co-Op on Grosvenor Street in Castleton.

The offenders threatened staff and told them not to move, before emptying the contents of the cigarette kiosk into a blue wheelie bin.

The men then fled the scene in a red Peugeot 206.

The offenders are believed to range from their mid-teens to early twenties.

They were wearing black sports clothing, black gloves and black balaclavas.

Detective Constable Ellen Molloy of Greater Manchester Police’s Rochdale borough, said: “Thankfully no one was hurt in the robbery, but this was obviously a frightening experience for the staff members.

“If you saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area at the time, or if you have any information then please get in touch with us.

“Do you recognise the men in the CCTV footage?

"If so, please do the right thing and get in touch with police as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 8635, quoting reference number 1949 of 13/12/18 or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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