Robbery at DIY store

Suspected robber who brandished a paint scraper and a knife while stealing cash from a B&Q on Thursday 18 December 2008.

Police have issued an image of a suspected robber who brandished a paint scraper and a knife while stealing cash from a DIY store.

At about 3.30pm on Thursday 18 December 2008, the offender went into the B&Q store on Sandbrook Park, Rochdale, and selected a paint scraper from the shelf.

He then went to the till to pay for it, but when the cashier opened the till he shoved her out of the way and stole a quantity of cash from the till.

On his way out of the store he then pulled out a knife and threatened employees with it. He left through the back of the store and was seen heading towards a nearby railway line.
The offender is described as 5ft 8in to 5ft 10in tall, between 25 and 30 years old, with short dark brown hair and wearing black clothes.

PC Michael Berger of the Rochdale robbery unit said: "We have got a decent picture of the offender so we want people to have a good look and see if they recognise him.

"It's completely unacceptable for someone to come into work and face this kind of violence while trying to do their job."

Anyone who recognizes the man in the image or who saw the incident is asked to call the robbery team at Rochdale police station on 0161 856 8632 or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.