Express & Star

Dudley shop raiders threaten worker with machete

An armed gang threatened a shop worker with a machete before beating him up and stealing cigarettes.

Published
Highways Food & Drink Store. Photo: Google

Four thugs targeted the Highway Food and Drinks Store in Daisy Street, Coseley.

One of the offenders, carrying the weapon, demanded money from a member of staff.

The gang then set about beating up the terrified worker and punched him several times on the side of his head – leaving him with bruising.

West Midlands Police said the raiders then stole a haul of cigarettes and took off on foot from the shop.

Detectives have launched an investigation into the incident – which took place on Sunday at around 6.50pm.

While a ward councillor has called for the force to step up patrols.

Coseley East ward councillor Susan Ridney said: “I’m quite shocked at that. It is terrible.

“It is not one you expect this from, it is a quiet street. The shop has been there quite a number of years. It is just a little business that chugs along.

“Lets hope the police pick up the patrols. I would really like to see more police patrols and I think most residents would because that is one of the things they complain about.”

However, Councillor Ridney said that Sunday’s raid was more than likely ‘an opportunist theft’.

She added: “I think they thought Sunday afternoon would be quiet and they were after something specific.”

A police spokesperson said: “Police are investigating an armed raid that took place at Highway Food and Drinks Store in Daisy Street, Coseley on Sunday April 22.

“Four men entered the store. One of them threatened a member of staff with a machete, while they demanded money from a member of staff.”

Anyone with information is being urged to call police on 101, giving crime reference number 20DY/89130Z/18

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