Sock, brick and axe are used in spate of attacks
ARMED crooks were chased after they threatened their victims in robberies in Stockport.
Staff at Peak Pharmacy on Finney Lane in Heald Green had just locked up on Monday at 6.40pm when a man followed them to the back of the business.
He then used a sock with a heavy object in it to threaten a worker as he got into his car and demanded his wallet.
But a passer-by frightened off the man and then chased after him. The Good Samaritan then pointed a man out to police who gave further chase before making an arrest.
A 39-year-old is currently being questioned by police on suspicion of attempted robbery but as yet no charges have been brought.
Inspector Neil Cook said: “Some people were at the scene and one witness followed and pointed a man out to officers.
“There was a chase and a man was detained.”
In another incident a 20-year-old man on a bike and his girlfriend were threatened in an alleyway near Bulkeley Road, Cheadle, on Wednesday at 10.50pm.
A robber with a brick jumped out of bushes and punched the man in the chest before stealing his £1,700 grey-andwhite Boardman bike.
The attacker rode off in the direction of Oakfield Avenue and the victim gave chase but stopped when the robber threw the brick at him.
The attacker was white, aged 16 to 18 and 5ft 9in tall. He wore a green or grey padded jacket.
Weapons were also used by burglars to smash their way into two Tesco Express stores in the early hours of the morning.
A gang used a sledgehammer and axe to smash their way into the shop, also on Finney Lane, Heald Green, last Friday at 3.45am. They then stole alcohol worth £300.
Police believe a similar incident at the Tesco Express on Church Road, Gatley, on Wednesday at 3.50am, is linked.
Here an axe was used to smash a window and crooks escaped with holdalls containing bottles of spirits worth £350.
Police have appealed for witnesses to the incidents.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.