Armed robbers target store twice: One Stop, Lowton
(WA3 - Monday, 7 January, 2008)

Police in Lowton are appealing for witnesses after a store was robbed twice within a number of weeks.

At about 8.10pm on Monday 15 December 2008, two offenders went into the One Stop Convenience Store on Church Lane in Lowton and threatened staff with a knife and gun.

The pair ran off along Fulwood Road with some alcohol and cigarettes.

The first man was described as:

• a white male
• of a chubby build
• aged 18 to 19 years old
• 5ft 8ins to 5ft 10ins tall
• wearing a white hooded top and dark coloured trousers and had his face covered with a scarf

The second man was described as:

• a white male
• 5ft 8ins to 5ft 10ins tall
• wearing a dark hooded top and camouflage print trousers and black gloves

In a second incident, between 7pm and 7.15pm on Sunday 9 November 2008, a man went straight to up to the counter and demanded the two members of staff open the tills, threatening them with a knife.

They opened it and gave him the money.

The offender then ran out of the store along Fulwood Road.

He is described as:

• a white male
• of a chubby build
• around 5ft 10ins tall
• wearing a light blue hooded top with a dark blue hoop pattern, dark coloured combat trousers and dark coloured shoes

Detective Constable Lynn Hughes of Wigan CID said:

"No staff have been hurt in either incident however they were incredibly frightened.

"The offenders clearly have no problems with threatening violence to get what they want and they need to be caught and held accountable for their actions.

"We have some CCTV from the incident in November and if you recognise the person, have any information about this crime or saw the offender before or after he left the store, please get in touch.

"While we are looking at the possibility the incidents could be linked we are not ruling anything out.

"I would appeal to residents in the area to work with us to bring these offenders to justice."

Inspector Ian Kennedy, from the Leigh, Lowton and Golborne Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:

"I would like to reassure residents we are treating incidents at the shop as a top priority and have a number of extra officers working in the area to reassure the community.

"Incidents like this affect everybody, not just those who work in the shop, and I would encourage anyone who has any information about who might be responsible to do the right thing and contact police.

"All information will be treated in confidence."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 5307 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police Force: Greater Manchester

Address:
One Stop Convenience Store
Church Lane
Lowton
Cheshire
WA3