Wokingham

Police are appealing for witnesses to a robbery at an off licence in Wokingham.

Two men entered the Threshers store in Rances Lane, Wokingham at 9.15pm on Monday (26/6) and asked for matches.

When the shop assistant opened the till the men jumped over the counter and took an undisclosed amount of money and cigarettes.

The lone shop assistant, a 20-year-old man, was told to look at the ground throughout the incident and was locked in a store room as the men fled.

DC Andy Beeney, from Loddon Valley CID, said: “This offence has left the shop assistant very scared – no-one should be subjected to situations of this nature while trying to earn a living.

“It is possible that these offenders may have escaped in a vehicle parked in the vicinity or may have had accomplices waiting nearby and I would urge anyone with any information to contact me immediately.

“I am particularly interested to hear from people who may have seen people entering and leaving the shop around this time, who saw a suspect vehicle nearby or who have been offered cheap cigarettes in Wokingham since the robbery.

“This information could be vital in helping us catch these criminals before they strike again.”

One of the Wokingham offenders is of mixed race, 6ft 1ins, with a thin build and long gaunt face. He is 18-20-years-old and was wearing a dark hooded top and dark tracksuit bottoms.

The second man is white, 5ft 10ins with a slim build, dark eyebrows and black stubble on his chin. He is 18-20-years-old and was wearing similar clothing to the other offender. He had a distinctly thinner face than the other man.

The mixed race man is believed to be the ring leader as he was shouting orders at the other offender.

Anyone with any information should contact DC Beeney via 0845 8 505 505.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to contact the police or leave your name, please call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Wokingham