Armed robbery at Nutter's Restaurant

Police are appealing for witnesses following an armed robbery at Nutter's Restaurant in Rochdale on Saturday 13 May 2006.

At 3.10am four masked men entered the restaurant by the roof and approached a 24-year-old man. They punched the man in the face and threatened him with a knife and a gun.

They then forced the man towards another room and approached a second victim, a 65-year-old man.

Both men were then tied up while the offenders searched the premises.

The offenders stole a quantity of cash, mobile phones and keys to a car. They then attempted to leave the scene in a stolen Jaguar XK8 but abandoned the car at the scene.

The men were all described as white, aged in their late 20s to 30s and were wearing balaclavas. Three of them spoke with Liverpool accents and the fourth had a northern accent.

The 65-year-old suffered bruising to his arms and the 24-year-old suffered pain to his head and neck.

Detective Inspector Daryl Chadwick from Rochdale CID said: " This was a terrifying ordeal for the two men involved and although they suffered fairly minor physical injuries they were left extremely shaken.

"We are keen to trace the individuals responsible for this and I would appeal to anyone with any further information to contact us."

Anyone with any further information on this incident should contact Rochdale CID on 0161 856 8552 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.