Terror at 6.35am
Staff fight back after gun-wielding raider bursts into store:
A MANHUNT is under way after an armed thug broke into a supermarket and attacked staff.
The raider, who was carrying a handgun, is believed to have disabled the CCTV and broken into Aldi in Westerhope at around 6.35am yesterday.
Brave staff at the Stamfordham Road branch tried to detain the man but he became violent and bit a worker.
He then fled the scene but left a shoe, a hat and the firearm behind. It is understood there were three members of staff in the shop at the time of the incident but it wasn’t open to customers at the time.
Northumbria Police officers are trying to track down the man, who is described as white, in his mid-30s, of slim build, and 6ft tall. He had an unkempt dark beard and a local accent.
The robber was struck during the struggle so may have a bloody facial injury. Yesterday morning, forensic officers were seen searching inside the store.
Det Sgt Philip Thoburn, from Northumbria Police, said: “This was a particularly frightening incident for all those involved and I would like to commend the staff for their bravery in trying to detain the offender. We would ask anyone with information about this incident to get in touch – if you saw anything or if you think you know who might have been involved, we would like to hear from you.
“Or if the man responsible is reading this, we would urge you to make contact with police and hand yourself in.”
A business owner has spoken of their shock after details of the incident came to light. They said: “I saw the lights of the police car flashing early this morning and there were a few cars and jeeps parked outside Aldi.
“It’s frightening because I park my car next to that shop and somebody tried to break into a couple of nights ago. Things like this make you very worried about security in the area, especially as a business owner.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Northumbria Police on 101, quoting reference 133 130219.
I would like to commend the staff for their bravery in trying to detain the offender Det Sgt Philip Thoburn