Two pubs targeted by armed robbers in balaclavas in 24 hours
Following the first armed robbery which took place on Sunday, 1 October, at around 10pm, at the HG Wells Pub, Cheam Common Road, Sutton, Worcester Park, south-west London, investigations are still ongoing.
According to the Metropolitan Police, a group of men wearing balaclavas and white overalls entered the pub and locked staff and some members of the public in a room.
The suspects attempted to remove the safe and then stole cash, said the police.
Staff member stabbed
During the course of the incident one of the suspects stabbed a member of staff in the leg. He was later taken to hospital and released after treatment.
No further injuries were reported, and no arrests have yet been made.
Landlord Raul Dolores, 40, told the Evening Standard: “It was a traumatic experience.
“We couldn’t believe these guys. They were armed and held us hostage in the office at the back. We didn’t do anything to resist, but they stabbed one of my staff.”
The suspects, who were described as black, then made off in a silver Vauxhall Astra, stated the police.
24 hours later
Around 24 hours later, and more than 150 miles away, three men wearing balaclavas entered the Cheshire Cheese pub in Telford, Shropshire, at around 10.15pm on Monday 2 October.
A spokesman for West Mercia police said: “One man is reported to have pointed a weapon - believed to be a knife - at a woman and demanded money.
“The victim removed a quantity of cash from the till and money was also taken from her wallet before the men fled in an unknown direction.”
The victim suffered slight neck injuries and was left shaken up by the incident, according to the police.
The first assailant is described as white, around 6ft tall, of slim build with brown eyes and a deep voice. He is believed to have been wearing a waist length shiny black puffa-style jacket, black full-fingered gloves, a black watch on his right wrist and plain dark charcoal coloured cotton jersey jogging trousers with cuffs around the ankles.
The second robber was reported to be white, around 5ft 6in tall, of medium build, with dark facial stubble. He is thought to have been dressed in a black jacket which had a large Stone Island badge on one of the upper sleeves and spoke with a local accent.
The third man is believed to have been dressed in black clothing and is understood to be shorter than his two accomplices.
West Mercia police said there was no indication that the two incidents are linked.
Witness appeals
Officers are keen to speak to people who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the areas where the pubs are located at the time of the attacks or who witnessed the incidents.
Anyone with information on the Cheshire Cheese incident is asked to call West Mercia Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting incident number 808S of 2 October.
Any witnesses or anyone with any information for the HG Wells incident are asked to call Flying Squad detectives on 0208 785 8655 or contact them via Twitter @MetCC.
To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.
