Shock as armed robber targets Stockton post office

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teess ... -29365513/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

POLICE are hunting a man who left two Stockton post office workers shaken after threatening them with a knife in an early morning robbery.

The robber demanded that the two young male workers at the Rimswell Parade Post Office “get on the floor” before he made off with over £100.

Pete Mackinnon, 35, who owns the shop, which he says is at the “heart of the community” described the robber as a “scumbag”.

He told the Gazette that the robber was the first person through the door at 6.40am on Saturday.

He said: “There were two lads who opened the shop on Saturday and the robber was the first person who came in.

“He just came in pulled a knife and told them to get on the floor, which they did.


“He took some money out the till and legged it.

“They are both young lads but I think they were quite shaken.”

The suspect then ran out of the store, turned right on to Rimswell Drive, and then turned on to Fordwell Road.

Mr Mackinnon, from Hartburn, said: “The two lads dialled 999.

“There were tons of police. It was crazy but it was brilliant to get such a great response.

“It is totally shocking but at the end of the day that is what some people do. They are scumbags.

“It is awful.

“There is always going to be an element of people who are out for themselves, whether it is drugs or whatever who knows.

“The amount of money he got would not have gone very far.”

Mr Mackinnon said he was thankful that no other customers were in the shop at the time of the incident.

He said: “It is disgusting what has happened. A lot of our customers are elderly.

“For some of them it is the only contact they have every day.

“So the shop really is the heart of the community.

“Thankfully he did it early in the morning when there were no customers in the shop.

“It is annoying that someone would do that.

“For all they know there could have been someone elderly in there."

“All the workers came down to help in the shop while the lads were being interviewed.

“They were unharmed which is the main thing.”

The male suspect is described as 5ft 8in and had a slim or skinny appearance. He spoke with a non-local accent.

Cleveland Police is appealing for witnesses to the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Con Richard Brocklesby from Stockton CID on 01642 302226 or call the charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.