Hooded gunman in village shop raid
Worker left traumatised
Detect i ves this week stepped up their hunt for a balaclava gunmnan who threatened a terrified worker in attempted robbery at a shop.
The 57-year- old woman’s ordeal began when man wearing a dark balaclava approached her at the back of the store.
She was beginning her shift at around 6.45am on Sunday, when a man wearing the headgear approached her at the back of the building.
He demanded for the door to be open, however he ran off when the alarm was raised.
Heartfelt messages have been sent to the staff at Spar through social media.
One said: “Shocking. I hope the staff member is okay.”
The suspect is described as 5ft 8in to 6ft tall and slim.
He was wearing a navy bomber jacket with silver/ grey trim, dark trousers and was carrying a small, dark, sports holdall.
It is believed he was sitting for some time at the bus stop opposite the store before the incident took place.
The incident happened at the shop in Tarbolton’s Montgomery Street.
The gunman fled empty handed in the direction of Park Road.
Police have appealed for witnesses and are keen to speak to anyone who was walking past the suspect at 6am.
Detective sergeant Craig Semple, who is leading the investigation, has asked for witnesses to come forward.
“Extensive enquiries are ongoing and in particular I would like to speak to a man and a women who walked passed the suspect at around 6am and appeared to stop and look at him.” he added.
“The man is described as in his early 20s, with dark hair swept to the side and wearing a tartan or checked shirt.
“The woman is described as having long dark hair and wearing a cream top.
“The suspect was not wearing the balaclava when he was waiting at the bus stop and I would appeal to anyone who noticed him sitting there, or anything at all suspicious, to please get in touch.”
Witnesses should contact Ayr CID on 101, quoting incident number 1247, or alternativey telephone Crimestoppers on 0800 5511, where calls are free and anonymity can be maintained.