Second armed raid at jeweller

A OLDHAM jeweller still recovering from a robbery two weeks ago has been hit a second time.

A man armed with a black handgun, walked into the Sovereign Pawn Brokers and Jeweller’s in Manchester Street at around 12.20pm last Thursday.

The robber jumped over the wooden counter, searched the front-window display and removed items of jewellery.

He then jumped over a glass display cabinet and headed for the shop door — but stopped to wedge the door open with a piece of brick, dropping jewellery as he fled towards the Manchester Street roundabout.

A member of staff believed this may be the same person responsible for the previous robbery in the store — at 10.30am on Friday, July 22.

The robber in both incidents is described as being white, around 5ft 8in tall, slim build, wearing dark clothing, a hood and a scarf that covered the lower part of his face.

In the first raid, a staff member had a gun pointed at their face and jewellery was stolen. No one was injured in either incident.

Inquiries are ongoing, but police are investigating whether the same man may be responsible for both robberies.

Det-Con Kate Carnally, from Oldham CID, said: “The staff at this jeweller’s shop have had to face two terrifying incidents in as many weeks, where a man has walked into the shop armed with a weapon and stolen jewellery.

“We are determined to find out who is responsible and take this dangerous man off the streets.

“I would urge anyone who was walking along Manchester Street in Oldham at the time of either robbery and who may have seen anything to contact police as soon as possible.

“If you know who is behind these thefts, you can pass details on to police anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111 or call Oldham CID on 0161-856 8951.”