Gun point raids at shop and bookies in Shrewsbury could be linked
Police are not ruling out a link between an attempted gun point robbery at a shop and a similar armed raid at a bookies in Shrewsbury.
Ranjit Singh was on his own in his shop in Monkmoor Road, Shrewsbury, when a man ran in and threatened him with a gun on Sunday night.
He waved the weapon in the shopkeeper's face and threatened to shoot – until Mr Singh, 52, said he would beat him with a stick, causing the gunman to flee.
West Mercia Police said today it may be linked to another raid less than two weeks ago on a Coral betting shop in the town on Mytton Oak Road.
Mr Singh, who has owned KK Monkmoor Store for the past five years, was behind the counter when the man waved the weapon in his face and threatened to shoot
The man, described as young and dressed in grey jogging bottoms, a grey jumper and with his face covered, shouted at Mr Singh to put money in a bag which he had thrown at him.
But the quick-thinking shopkeeper instead reached for a stick he keeps behind the counter and told the man he would beat him with it.
The gunman ran out and was chased along the pavement by Mr Singh.
MORE: Staff at Shrewsbury branch of Coral bookmakers threatened in gun raid
MORE: Shop owner chases off 'masked gunman' with a STICK during terrifying Shrewsbury robbery
DS Nicky Roberts, from Shrewsbury CID, said: "We have been able to retrieve CCTV from the scene and are currently studying that. The owner was on his own when the man entered his shop carrying a handgun. He threatened the shop worker who retaliated and he fled empty-handed. We are encouraging anyone with any information to get in touch."
Detective Constable Mark Gallacher said: "This was obviously a frightening incident for the victim but thankfully, no one was injured."
Police are still hunting for a man who pointed a gun at staff in a bookmakers before fleeing with cash. A man entered Coral bookmakers in Mytton Oak Road on November 11 and pointed what is believed to be a black handgun at two male members of staff. He handed them a bag and told them to put money in it and then left the shop.
DS Roberts added: "At present we are not linking the two incidents but we are not ruling it out either. To have two crimes of this nature in Shrewsbury is very unusual."
Anyone with information is asked to call West Mercia Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
