Footage has been released of a second knifepoint robbery in Brighton, showing an armed robber in a Santa hat at the Co-op in Saltdean before Christmas.
Sussex Police said this afternoon (Friday 24 February): “A second CCTV sequence has been issued by detectives who have renewed their appeals for information about two armed robberies of Co-op stores in Brighton just before Christmas.
“It is hoped someone might recognise this man wearing a Santa hat who robbed the Co-op store in Saltdean on Tuesday 20 December, just days after the robbery of another store in Patcham.
“The man went into the shop in Lustrells Vale at 9.05pm and threatened a woman staff member with a kitchen knife and forced her to the store office. He then grabbed another staff member there and made him open the safe.
“During the incident, the female member of staff was assaulted, sustaining several broken ribs as a result.
“He stole more than £2,000 before running out of the store into School Lane and on to Chiltington Way.
“He was pursued by another staff member who heard him get into a car, believed to be a silver Ford Focus hatchback, which made off down Tremola Avenue towards the seafront.
“The robber was white, between 5ft 9in and 5ft 11in, of stocky build and wearing black jogging bottoms, a black North Face hooded top, a Santa hat with printed Santa feet on the top, a black scarf covering his face apart from his eyes and black gloves. He spoke with an accent, which was possibly either Liverpudlian or northern.”
Detective Inspector Andy Wolstenholme said: “This was a violent robbery which left the staff shaken and shocked.
“While I acknowledge the lack of facial detail in the picture will make it hard for the public to help, we are hoping by releasing the image that someone might remember seeing this man in the area looking suspicious or running away afterwards.
“It’s possible you may recognise him from his build or the way he moves. We would also be keen to hear from anyone who has details of the car used to escape.
“We are considering if this offence is linked to another similar knifepoint robbery at the Co-op store in Old London Road, Brighton, on Friday 16 December.
“If you have any information about the incident, please report online to https://sussex.police.uk/contact-us/response-to-appeal quoting serial 1403 of 20/12.
“You can also email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk, call 101 or speak to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”
