Brave store staff foil armed robbers

GLENROTHES: Thieves flee empty-handed from two shops

A pair of knife-wielding men were foiled in their attempts to raid two Glenrothes shops, thanks to the bravery of workers.

The would-be thieves fled empty handed from RS McColl stores after two robbery bids failed.

The incidents, within 25 minutes of each other on Tuesday night, have been described as a “distressing experience” for staff, who police said had shown great courage.

It is believed the men may have travelled between the shops on Parbroath Road and North Street by vehicle or on bikes. As other shopkeepers in the area were urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour, officers pledged to use all possible resources to catch those responsible.

Brave shop workers have been praised after two attempted armed robberies were foiled in the same night.

A pair of men armed with knives left two different Glenrothes stores empty handed after staff refused to hand over money.

Police are investigating the incidents at RS McColl premises in North Street and Parbroath Road, which happened within 25 minutes of each other on Tuesday night.

Officers believe the would-be thieves may have used a vehicle or bikes to travel between the two shops in such a short space of time and have warned other local shopkeepers to remain vigilant.

The men entered the Parbroath Road store first, at 8.20pm but, despite threatening a staff member with a knife, left with nothing.

At 8.45pm they went into the North Street shop in the town centre, pointed a knife at a worker and demanded money and goods. Again, they left emptyhanded.

Detective Inspector Chris Mill of Fife CID said: “Both of the staff members have shown great courage during what was a distressing experience and we are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry to trace the perpetrators.”

He added: “Given the distance between the two premises, it’s possible that a vehicle or bikes were used and we’re urging anyone in the local community who may have seen these men, or any suspicious vehicles in the area, to get in touch as soon as possible.

Glenrothes councillor Ross Vettraino, convener of the protective services committee, said he was very concerned about the incidents, which he branded a sign of the times.

“Things seem to be going from bad to worse and I really don’t know where it’s going to end,” he said.

Both suspects have been described as being in their early twenties and 5ft 8in tall.

One was of stocky build and had his face obscured. He was wearing a black and white striped top, dark-coloured trousers and dark trainers.

The other was of medium build and also had his face covered.

He had on a dark grey hooded tracksuit top and light-coloured tracksuit bottoms with two darkcoloured pockets on the rear.

Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2924, or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Picture: Steven Brown. The RS McColl’s premises in North Street, one of the shops targeted by armed robbers.