Robber steals cash from two Brighton stores

Two shops in Brighton were robbed at the weekend and Sussex Police said that the raids appeared to be linked.

Yesterday morning (Sunday 3 July) a man stole what is believed to have been a large sum of cash from the till of the post office store in Preston Drove, Brighton.

The suspect bought a can of coke at about 10.30am and struck when the shop’s owner opened the till.

The robber grabbed the cash, shouting: “Don’t try and stop me or you will get hurt!”

He made off along Preston Drove and Southdown Road.

Detective Sergeant David Roughley, from Brighton CID, said: “We are keen to find the suspect who is prepared to commit an offence like this in broad daylight.

“We believe this incident may be linked to a robbery at Corner News & Booze convenience store in Upper Hollingdean Road on Saturday 2 July at 11.15am.

“In this incident we believe the same offender came into the store with a woman who purchased a bottle of beer.

“While the shop owner had the cash till open the offender went behind the counter and put him in a headlock.

“The man and woman then made off in the direction of Upper Hollingdean Road and into Roedale Court.”

The suspect was described as white, aged about 30 years old, 6ft tall, of slim build with brown hair and a tattoo on his right arm.

He was wearing a white T-shirt and green shorts.

The woman who was present at the robbery on Saturday was described as aged about 22, of slim build and with blonde hair.

She was wearing black leggings and a cream top.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.