Hunt on for armed petrol station robbers
Date published: 07 April 2011
POLICE have released CCTV images of two masked men who robbed a petrol station in Oldham at knife point.
The men, with scarves across their faces and one carrying a knife walked into the Total petrol station, Shaw Road, at around 9.40pm on Sunday.
A member of staff tried to keep the staff door closed but it was forced open. He was threatened and told to get on the floor before they demanded cash.
One of the offenders grabbed money and they walked off in the direction of Higginshaw Village. A witness saw them run in to Sydney Street before losing sight of them.
Det Sgt Jason Byrne, from Oldham CID, said: “Although the staff member was shaken by his ordeal, he has been able to give us a detailed description of the offenders and I would urge anyone who recognises them to contact police as soon as possible.”
The men are described as being white and in their early 20s. The one holding the knife was 6ft tall, had an athletic build, and wore a grey hooded Adidas top with the price tags attached, grey Adidas tracksuit pants and trainers.
The second man was 5ft 7ins tall and of medium build with a shaved head.
He wore a grey Adidas sweater and dark Timberland tracksuit pants and Adidas trainers with yellow fluorescent laces, and carried a bag on his shoulder.
IN another raid a few days earlier an armed robber jumped over the counter in an attempt to steal cash from a Failsworth petrol station.
Two men with scarves covering their faces burst into the Tesco station in Oldham Road at 8.40am on Tuesday, March 29.
One of the offenders pulled out a silver handgun and pointed it at a member of staff. He then unsusseesfully tried to prise open the tills before the pair fled the shop.
Det Con Kate Carnally said: “It was terrifying for the members of staff to be threatened at gunpoint like this, though thankfully nobody was hurt.
“We are appealing for anyone who may have seen these suspects running away from or approaching the petrol station to get in touch.
“Oldham Road is a busy road and I hope there are witnesses out there who can help.”
The offenders were white, about 5ft 8in tall, of slim build and in their late teens, wearing grey hooded tops and dark blue tracksuit bottoms.
Anyone with any information about either incident is asked to contact police on 0161 856 8951 or call Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
