Police step up hunt for gunman

Russell Steele • Published 6 Feb 2010 14:00

POLICE are studying CCTV footage in a bid to catch a 'dangerous' armed robber who threatened two female workers with a gun and a knife.

The man demanded money from staff at M&J Convenience Store in Greenock, pictured, but was refused and fled with only a bottle of cider.

Police are now checking security cameras to trace the culprit, who was seen rushing from the Ingleston Street store towards John Street shortly after 9pm on Thursday.

Detective John Dearie said: "This was a dangerous individual and we are keen to hear from anybody who can match the description to someone who was in that area of Greenock at that time."

He is aged between 18 and 20, 5ft 5in, slim and was wearing a black jacket with a hood up, black trousers and black trainers. The shop assistants were left shaken but unhurt by the incident.

DI Dearie said: "It's upsetting for any staff member to come face to face with a weapon and they shouldn't have to in their daily work.

"It was an act which wasn't thought out by the perpetrator. Anyone who carries out that sort of act on a small shop is only going to get a small reward at the end of it and it is not worth risking a long prison sentence.

"People who carry out a robbery tend to take weapons in order to intimidate staff but carrying two weapons is unusual because it takes up both hands and he would have to have put one of the weapons down."

Anyone with information should call Greenock CID on 492500.

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 06 Feb 10

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