shotgun robberies

CCTV image of the accomplice

A specialist team that helped to cut the number cash in transit robberies by 69%, is working to trace a man wanted on suspicion of armed robbery.

Merseyside Police is appealing for information about a man they are anxious to trace in connection with 19 armed robberies across Liverpool in recent weeks. The offences, which have taken place since early December - the latest being on Tuesday, 13 February, are being linked by detectives due to a number of similarities between them, including a distinctive top which has been worn by the offender on several occasions.

The robberies, in which the main offender has been armed with a shotgun, are at convenience stores and off-licences with late night opening hours. They are generally targeted between 9.30pm and 10.30pm.

The latest incident

In the latest incident, at around 10pm at an off-licence on Green Lane, Stoneycroft, a large amount of money was taken along with a quantity of cigarettes. As has happened in previous incidents, the offender went into the shop carrying a large black holdall, which he opened to take out a sawn off shotgun. He threatened staff and demanded cash. On this occasion he was with an accomplice however, on previous occasions, he appears to have carried out the robberies on his own.

The shotgun has been fired during just one incident, on Wednesday, 13 December, at a store on The Parade, Wavertree. Again, the robbery took place at around 10pm, as the business was closing, and a large amount of cash was stolen. When the offender went to leave the store, the glass door wouldn't open and he fired the weapon at it in order to escape.

Extensive enquiries

Police have been carrying out extensive enquiries in relation to the robberies, including examining hours of CCTV footage. Detectives are releasing an image of the man they want to trace. He is described as white, around 5'8" to 6' tall and is usually wearing a light grey hooded top with the word 'SCHOTT' in capital letters across the back. Detectives are urging anyone who may have information on this man to come forward as a matter of urgency.

Detective Inspector Paul Roche said: "Although no-one has been injured during these robberies, this man is obviously intent on profiting from his crimes and there's nothing to suggest he will stop here. The people who work in the stores where these robberies have taken place have been left understandably traumatised.

"I am particularly concerned that the gun has been loaded during these robberies, as was made very clear when a glass door was shattered at a store in Wavertree after a shot was fired through it. We need to find this offender before he harms innocent people.

Zero tolerance

"Violence and intimidation of this kind will not be tolerated. Be assured, we will continue our investigations until we arrest this man and put him before the courts."

He added: "Merseyside Police would encourage people who own his type of business premises to invest in crime prevention measures, such as restrictive access on doors opening on to the business premises.

"Each part of Merseyside has a crime prevention officer who will conduct a survey and give businesses advice, free of charge, on the most appropriate measures they can take to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime."

"Businesses seeking crime prevention advice can call Merseyside Police on 0151 709 6010 and ask to speak to their local crime prevention officer.

"Merseyside Police is working closely with Business Crime Direct to improve security and safety at small businesses by the use of high street radios, CCTV and staff training programmes. The public should be re-assured that Liverpool remains a safe city in comparison with many others. Street crime and robbery have been falling over a period of three years and the reduction in cash in transit robberies has been a massive success which sets us apart from the rest of the country.

"What we are seeing here is a very specific type of offence directed at small businesses and we are determined to arrest the offender before others are put at risk."

Anyone with any information on the man shown in the images are asked to contact Merseyside Police on 0151 777 8456 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

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[Sremmz]

@PlebScrubber

If you wanna break the law go live in a 3rd world country.

Protip: Good citizens dont want filth in there life

[PlebScrubber]

@Sremmz its not like we have any say about the law, its imposed on us, why should we obey it?

[Sremmz]

@ftpb1

How bout stop breaking the law faggot

[MIGsCT]

oh shit thats my dad!

[ftpb1]

fuck the police

[looney09ovspenny]

yesssssssssss!!! get in there lad