Masked armed robbers steal cash from South Elmsall food store

Police said two men burst into the Co-operative Food store, Ash Grove, at around 9.50pm on Monday.

They threatened staff in the store before stealing cash from the till and the safe.

The store manager, who did not want to be named, said: “It was about five minutes before closing time and I was in the office with my back to the shop floor.

“I turned around and within seconds two men, wearing balaclavas and with crowbars had burst into the store.

“One of the men was behind the counter threatening another member of staff who was working at the time and they were telling him to open the till.

“Then they pushed us into the office and told us to open the safe.

“They took about £2,000 in total and it was all over within minutes.”

The store manager added: “There was nobody else in the shop at the time as we were just closing up.

“It shook me up after it happened and we’ve got a security guard on for a few weeks now to offer some reassurance.”

Both men threatened staff with the crowbars but no-one was injured in the raid.

DC Steve Wright from Wakefield CID, said: “After taking cash the men fled the store and were seen to turn immediately right as they left the premises.

“Fortunately, neither of the members of staff were injured in the robbery, but have been left shaken by what took place.

“The first person officers want to speak to in connection with the incident is described as wearing a light grey coloured hooded top with a dark hood, a red face covering, dark coloured tracksuit bottoms and white trainers.

“The second person officers want to speak to is described as wearing a dark grey coloured hooded top with a union jack flag across the chest, a red face covering, beige coloured trousers and black coloured footwear.”

Anyone with any information should contact DC Wright at Wakefield CID on 101 and quoting reference number 13140397280.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

The raid came just days after a similar robbery in Castleford where masked armed robbers - brandishing a baseball bat and a crowbar - stole thousands of pounds of cash in a late-night raid on the One Stop convenience store, on Willowbridge Lane.

Police said two men burst into the store and one of them hurled wine bottles at a terrified member of staff at around 10.50pm on Saturday.