Cheshire Police are currently investigating whether the incidents at the Military Arms in Sandbach and the Red Bull in Church Lawton, are linked.
Military Arms licensee Geoff Connor told the Publican’s Morning Advertiser how a group of people entered his pub on Sunday 4 March and made attempts to distract his staff by ordering food and asking for directions.
It was only the following morning that Connor realised that the group had stolen the Friday and Saturday takings from the upstairs flat.
“They knew exactly what they were doing,” said Connor. “We only realised the following morning that we’d been robbed because they did it in such a way that it didn’t look like they had done anything.”
Barbara Moylan, licensee of the Red Bull, is warning other publicans to be on their guard after her pub was also targetted by the group on Wednesday 7 March.
“They tried to break into the flat with a screwdriver,” said Moylan. “Some of them went to order drinks and distract my barmaid, and another woman sat down with me in another room and asked about the food.”
Moylan described the group as “Romanian”, and said one woman appeared to be carrying a baby in a sling. They all wore long clothes.
Detective Sergeant Andy McGillan of Cheshire Police said: “We have a number of active inquiries and urge anyone with any information to contact police. In the meantime I would urge businesses to be aware of these incidents and report any suspicious behaviour to police.”
Anyone with any information is asked to call Cheshire Police or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.