A REDDITCH man has spoken of his terror after two masked, armed robbers raided his shop on Monday (May 30).
Assistant manager ‘Harry’ says he was pushed to the ground and dragged across the shop floor as the men threatened him with an axe and smashed open the till using a crowbar.
The 24-year-old was working by himself in Simply Local on Dilwyn Close when the men burst in, each with their faces covered with black scarves.
“I heard them come in but before I could do anything they grabbed me and pushed me to the floor. One of them tried to open the till a few times but it was locked,” said Harry.
“The other man dragged me across the shop floor,” he said. “I was so scared. I felt completely on my own.
“I tried to get up but it was too late. The other man was using the crowbar to force open the till, hitting it with a hammer.
“I reached the panic button under the till but it failed and it was too late anyway – the men had already run outside and disappeared.
“I really wanted to protect the money in the till, but I couldn’t do anything. I ran outside to call for help.
“I’m still in shock. It’s not something you expect.”
Police have stepped up patrols by the Matchborough store since the incident while the store has responded by ensuring no staff work alone.
“We feel safer working as a team than working alone and since the attack several of our regular customers have have been checking to see how I am.
“I really hope they can catch these men.”
Police are urging anyone who may have seen anything to contact them.
The man armed with the crowbar was wearing a grey hooded top and a short black coat and black tracksuit bottoms with a wide grey strip to the side. He also wore grey gloves and white trainers.
The man carrying the axe was wearing black gloves, a black jacket and tracksuit bottoms and white trainers.
Anyone with information Call 101 quoting reference 166s or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
