Axe-wielding thief strikes at Arbroath shop

Police hunting masked robber who threatened staff and stole cash

Police are hunting an armed robber who used an axe to threaten staff at an Arbroath newsagent.

The masked man charged into Sam’s Store on Ponderlaw Street wielding the weapon and demanded money from the till.

He made off with about £45 worth of cigarettes, a bottle of vodka and £200 in cash.

The 45-year-old assistant who was working at the counter was left badly shaken, but unhurt.

It happened just after 6am on Saturday. Rana Khan, the store’s owner, rushed to the store to let the female employee go home.

He said: “He had a mask and a hat on, and went straight to the till and demanded money. My staff gave it over because of the axe. He then asked for a bottle of vodka and tobacco. She handed that over too and he left.”

Mr Khan said: “She phoned me straight away and then the police, who were very quick to respond because they were already there when I arrived.

“The police have been very good so far. I was impressed by how quickly they got there and took it seriously.

“It’s a frightening thing for someone to behave like that.”

Mr Khan said it is unusual for such a dramatic crime to take place in the area. The last time he recalled something similar happening was in 2005, shortly after he started work at the store.

“We do a public service here. With the coronavirus and all of that we have been here to serve the people who live nearby,” he said.

The robber is described as white, in his 30s and of medium build. He was wearing a black hooded top, with the hood up, black jeans and a burgundy tammy-style hat. He wore distinctive red trainers with a white sole.

His facemask was black and he carried a black rucksack.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident 0945 of July 18, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Shop owner Rana Khan.