Samurai swords used in raids on two pubs
POLICE BELIEVE TERRIFYING ROBBERIES ON SAME DAY ARE LINKED
MASKED thugs threatened staff with samurai swords during raids at two Salford pubs.
Three men brandishing weapons burst into the Henry Boddington pub on Bolton Road, Swinton, during the first robbery on Sunday, April 9.
One man, armed with a samurai sword, ordered the manager to empty the contents of the safe into a bag during the raid, which happened at about 11pm.
The other two men stood in the bar area covering the other staff and customers.
The trio, who all had their faces covered and wore gloves, then fled from the pub with the cash.
Two were seen escaping from the scene across a large car park towards Bolton Road. The third man may have escaped over towards Agecroft Road.
The first man was white, slim and was wearing light blue clothes and a balaclava. He had a Manchester accent.
The second man was of stocky build and was wearing a balaclava, a bandana face-covering and light blue clothes.
Police are keen to speak to anyone wasteland who may have seen a group of men behaving suspiciously in the area shortly before the robbery.
During the second robbery on the same day, two men burst into Worsley Old Hall at 11.50pm.
One was armed with a samurai sword and the other with a crowbar. They ordered the manager to empty the contents of the safe into a large black Nike holdall before escaping with the cash. It is believed there may have been a third man waiting outside the hall, on Walkden Road. All three fled over the golf course. Police believe that both robberies are linked and are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to get in touch.
Det Con Derek Nellany, of Greater Manchester Police’s Salford Borough, said: “Fortunately, no one was hurt in either robbery but staff suffered tremendous shock and psychological trauma after being threatened by masked men with samurai swords.”
Anyone with information about either robbery is asked to call police on 0161 856 5049, 101 quoting incident number 2678 of 09/04/17 with information about the Bolton Road robbery. Or quote 2763 of 09/04/17 with information about the Walkden Road robbery. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.