Gunman robs Eastbourne post office and sets it on fire

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/10389194._/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;?

A gunman posing as a postman threatened a post office worker before stealing cash and setting fire to the store.

A man dressed in a postman's uniform called at the post office in Rosebery Avenue, Eastbourne at about 8.30am this morning to deliver a parcel.

He then pulled out a gun and threatened the woman staff member before stealing a quantity of cash from the safe and setting fire to the building.

The victim was able to raise the alarm and get out of the post office.

She has been taken to the Eastbourne District General Hospital but appears to be unharmed, although extremely distressed.


The suspect is described as a white male, clean shaven, with cropped brown hair. 6' 2', slim and aged about 30 with a silver bar style earring in the top of his left ear.

He was wearing a black beanie style hat, blue jeans and red Royal Mail fleece and brown muddy trainers.

Anyone with information is urged to call Sussex Police on 101 quoting Operation Condor.

If you saw or heard anything, contact The Argus on 01273 544530 or email neil.vowles@theargus.co.uk.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Eastbourne post office raid sees woman flee burning building

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An armed robber dressed as a postman tied up a postmistress at gunpoint and set fire to the building before fleeing.

The distraught 49-year-old woman managed to escape from the burning post office in Eastbourne, East Sussex.

But the robber made off with cash from the safe and the Rosebery Avenue post office was badly damaged by smoke.

The woman, who is not being named, was taken to hospital and was unharmed but extremely distressed, police said.

'Distressing' ordeal
The man, who was aged about 30, entered the post office at 08:30 BST wearing a postman's uniform.

Police said he produced a gun and threatened the postmistress before grabbing money from the safe.

Before leaving, he was believed to have tied up the woman and set light to the building.

Det Insp Gavin Patch, of Sussex CID, said: "This was a distressing ordeal for the victim."

The woman was treated for shock at Eastbourne District General Hospital.

Royal Mail fleece
Police spoke to witnesses at the scene but are appealing for more information.

"This is a busy area, and we are appealing for anyone who may have seen this man, who was dressed in a uniform, go into the post office or leave it to come forward," said Det Insp Patch.

Firefighters dealt with the fire, which caused substantial smoke damage to the building, on the corner of Rosebery Avenue and Brassey Avenue.

The suspect, who was about 6ft 2in and wearing a black beanie-style hat and red Royal Mail fleece, is thought to have run towards the railway line.

He had a silver bar-style earring in the top of his left ear.

[UnhappyGremlin]

If the scumbags keep robbing places in postie uniforms we won't be able to go anywhere without being eyed suspiciously.