Robbers target two petrol stations

Police are hunting robbers who targeted two petrol stations within a day of each other.

In the first raid, at around 9.15pm on Sunday 19 December 2010, two offenders approached the Hooton service station on Rochdale Road, Middleton, and threatened the man behind the counter with a handgun.

They passed two black bin liners to the victim and ordered him to fill it with cash and cigarettes. They then took the bin bags and left.

In the second incident, at about 11pm on Monday 20 December 2010, two robbers approached the customer entrance of the Middleton service station on Oldham Road, Middleton, and walked up to an employee who was locking up for the night.

They indicated they had a handgun and told him to give them the keys. One of them punched the 51-year-old man in the face.

They failed to get into the petrol station and walked off towards Spring Vale.

Both robbers were white and around 5ft 8in tall with slim builds and wore balaclavas. It is believed both incidents are linked.

Detective Constable Christian Chivers, of Rochdale CID, said: “No-one should ever be threatened like this while doing their job.

“I want to reassure both victims that we are determined to bring these robbers to justice and are confident that someone would have seen these robbers acting suspiciously.

“I now want to hear from anyone who saw them either before or after the robberies.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4646 or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.