Robber in Hallowe'en mask takes cash from bookmakers

Published on Thursday 5 November 2009 08:52

A ROBBER in a Hallowe'en mask threatened staff with a knife and made off with cash from a Capital bookmakers.

Two workers at Ladbrokes bookmakers, on Kingsknowe Road North, in Longstone, were confronted by the robber.

After brandishing a knife and screaming at the pair, the suspect fled with a three-figure sum of cash and headed in the direction of the Longstone Inn pub.

He is described as 6ft tall, of slim build, with a local accent and wearing a black hooded top, along with the black Hallowe'en mask.

The raid happened at 9:30pm on Tuesday. It is the second time in a month that the Longstone branch has been targeted.

On 10 October a man tried to force his way into the shop. It is not known if the two incidents are linked. A spokesman for Ladbrokes said the company was investigating the latest incident.

He said: "Nobody was injured, which is the main thing. We have CCTV footage which we have passed on to police."

A police spokesman added: "While they weren't injured, the two shop assistants were left understandably shaken, and we are keen for any information that can assist our inquiries.

"Anyone who was in the area at around the time the robbery took place and who noticed anyone acting suspiciously should contact police immediately."