Police Hunt Armed Renfrew Robbers

28 October 2016, 11:22 | Updated: 28 October 2016, 11:28

Police are hunting two men who forced their way into a man's house at gunpoint and robbed him in an early morning attack.

The 38-year-old victim was targeted as he left his home in Merlinford Avenue, Renfrew, at around 7.45am on Thursday.

Two men, thought to be carrying firearms, forced the man back into his home where they assaulted him and threatened his 67-year-old mother before making off with personal items, police said.

The guns were not fired and the man was not seriously injured but it has been described as a "very frightening experience''.

Officers are yet to establish a motive but believe it was a targeted attack.

The suspects are white, between 5ft 8in and 5ft 11in, and were both wearing a dark jacket with a scarf over their face.

Detective Inspector Suzie Chow said: "Although we are still trying to establish a motive for the robbery, at this time we believe that the man involved was the target and this was not a random attack.

"Thankfully, no firearm was discharged and no one was injured, however, it was a very frightening experience for them both to go through.

"This time of the morning is when people leave for work, and, although we have no report of a car being involved, it's possible both men had been hanging about the area waiting for the man to leave his house.

"I would ask that anyone who saw men, either in a car or on foot, hanging about the area or anyone who has any information that will assist our enquiry, contact police as soon as possible.''

Meanwhile, police in Glasgow are investigating an armed robbery at a Spar store on Thursday night.

Staff in the shop in Dorchester Avenue, Kelvindale, were threatened by a man thought to have been carrying a gun at around 8.30pm.

He demanded money and made off in a white van with more than £1,000, police said.

Two workers, a 24-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman, were left "badly shaken'' by the incident.

The suspect is around 6ft with a heavy build. He was wearing a grey hooded top, high-vis jacket and gloves and white Nike trainers.

He was also wearing a dark balaclava or scarf across his face and was also carrying a pink shoulder bag.

Detective Sergeant Raymond Hunter said: "This man made every effort to conceal his identity. Our inquiries so far have revealed that he was hanging about outside the shop prior to the incident.

"Given the fact he was wearing hi-vis clothing, people may have thought he was a workman of some sort but in fact his intention was to rob the store.

"I'm appealing to anyone who may have been in the area around the time of the incident to contact us. Perhaps you saw the man and the van and thought nothing of it, but if you did see him, you might be able to provide us with vital information which could assist our inquiry. Please do contact us.

"Anyone with any information is asked to contact officers at the Community Investigation Unit via 101. Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.''