A man snatched a cash security box right out of a guard’s hand after assaulting Leigh’s Asda Superstore this morning.
Detectives have released CCTV footage from around 6.17am on Friday 8 January, when a Loomis security van attended Asda on Priestners Way.
When the driver entered the store, the man drew a pump-action shotgun and demanded he hand over the cash box he was carrying. Throughout the incident he was wearing a full-faced black balaclava.
After snatching the cash box, the perpetrator got into a light-blue Ford Focus and drove off along Atherleigh Way in the direction of Atherton.
The offender is described as male, of heavy build, wearing dark tracksuit-style trousers, possibly Adidas or similar with stripes running down each leg, a dark jacket with a blue-lined hood, a high visibility vest over the jacket and dark footwear.
Commenting on the incident, Detective Inspector Martin Reddington described the armed robbery as ‘particularly daring’.
“Fortunately no one was injured, but the security guard was obviously left extremely shaken,” he said.
“The clothing the offender was wearing was quite distinct, so I am hoping that someone may recognise the clothing and come forward with some information.
“Similarly, we would like any people who actually witnessed the robbery, or may have seen anything suspicious on the retail park in recent days, to come forward.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident number 080116/257 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
