"Terrifying" Robbery At Sandy Co-Op

Bedfordshire Police is appealing for witnesses after a man wielding a large meat cleaver robbed a store in Sandy.

The offender entered the Co-op store in Kestrel Way at 9.35pm on Friday (16 January) and approached the till, pulling a large meat cleaver with a brown wooden handle from a utility belt beneath his top.

He waved it in the air and told the staff member behind the till to open it. At the time there were only two members of staff and no customers in the store.

He demanded the cashier hand over money and threatened him with a another weapon – a wooden truncheon.

He took the money and left.

Less than a minute later a small dark car drove out of the car park at speed into the residential estate nearby.

The offender is described as white, in his early to mid-20s, six foot, skinny with short dark hair. He had a local accent and was wearing plain black sunglasses, a black bandana with white markings, similar to spots, wrapped around head, mouth and nose.

He was also wearing a navy blue long sleeved top, with pockets at the front, dark blue jeans, trainers, black woollen gloves.

Detective Constable Andy Boston, investigating, said:

"This was clearly a terrifying experience for the store staff and we need to trace this offender as soon as possible. If anyone knows who he is I urge them to contact the police.

We are also looking for anyone who was around Kestrel Way between 9pm and 10pm who may have seen this incident or the small dark car leaving the scene."

Anyone with information relating to this incident can contact DC Andy Boston, in confidence, at Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively you can contact the independent crime fighting charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.