Knife fright as masked gang raids shop

Ahmed Chaudry outside Village Convenience Store

THREE masked men, one armed with a large knife, stole around £800 and a large number of cigarettes in a raid on a Lees off-licence.

The gang burst into the Village Convenience Store at 7.40pm on Monday with one man brandishing the knife threatening the owner’s cousin.

The other men then ran around the counter of the Rhodes Hill shop to steal scores of cigarette packs and raid the till before running away.

Owner Ahmed Chaudry, who was not in the store at the time of the robbery, said: “It was over very quickly, maybe only three minutes or so.

“The police arrived within minutes and we have CCTV footage of the attack which the police will use to catch the criminals.

“But because they were wearing masks, you cannot make out their faces clearly.”

Mr Chaudry estimated that up to £2,000 in cash and goods could have been stolen in the raid.

He added: “My cousin was very shaken up by the robbery and was upset by what happened to him.

“What they have done will also hurt my business greatly over the next few days.

“I am only a small shopkeeper and I need a good amount of stock to make money.”

Police are appealing for anyone with information to call them on 101.