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Hunt for female accomplice of tear gas-spraying Little Lever cider thief

Following a small-value cider robbery at a Bolton convenience store in which tear gas was sprayed at the shop owner, police have released a CCTV image of a woman they want to speak with.

The owner of the SA Convenience Store in Little Lever suffered eye injuries after a man sprayed tear gas in his face at around 7.40pm on the evening of Monday September 22.

The man fled the scene with his female accomplice and two bottles of cider.

Detective Constable Phil Halliwell, from Bolton division, said: “Although the shop owner’s injuries were not serious he has been left very shaken.

“I am urging people to take a close look at the CCTV image we have released.

“If you recognise the woman or have any details about the robbery, please come forward and speak to the police.”

The pair entered the shop together and after the woman took two bottles of cider from the shelf, an argument broke out about who was going to pay for the drinks.

When the shop owner asked for the cider bottles back, the man took out the illegal tear gas canister and launched his attack.

A 24-year-old man has already been charged with robbery and possession of a prohibited weapon as a result of the robbery.

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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