Appeal to trace man after Langley shop chain snatch
POLICE are appealing for help in tracing a man who snatched a shopkeeper’s gold necklace during a robbery at a Birmingham grocery store.
Images of a man officers would like to speak to have now been released by detectives investigating the incident at Sandhu Grocers on Causeway Green Road on Friday 8 July.
A man walked into the shop, at around 2.05pm, and approached the counter, asking the female member of staff for a packet of cigarettes.
The offender then reached across the counter and tried to grab a gold chain from around the woman’s neck, but she stepped back out of his reach. The man then ran around the counter and demanded that she open the till.
His attempts to get into the cash drawer failed, but he successfully grabbed the woman’s chain before running from the store.
Detective constable Richard Edwards, from Sandwell CID, said: “We want to trace the man seen in the CCTV images in connection with this inquiry.
“The young woman assistant at the store was understandably fearful for her safety during the incident, and the offender became aggressive with his demands before snatching the woman’s gold chain.
“She suffered some minor cuts and bruises as a result of the incident, and was upset by what happened.
“We urge anyone who recognises the man to come forward.”
The stolen necklace was a 24 carat gold chain with a gold Sikh symbol pendant.
The offender is described as a black man, around 6ft tall, of medium build, and he wore a navy blue hooded top with dark coloured jeans. Under the hood he wore a dark coloured baseball cap.
DC Edwards added: “In recent months we have increased police activity across Sandwell to reduce robbery and to identify offenders.
“However, offences are still happening and the majority of offences are by opportunist criminals.
“Therefore, we are asking members of the public to be aware of the risks of wearing visible valuable jewellery.
“Hopefully with the help of the community we can continue to reduce this type of offending.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Sandwell CID at Smethwick police station on 0345 113 5000 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously 0800 555 111.
Images of a man officers would like to speak to have now been released by detectives investigating the incident at Sandhu Grocers on Causeway Green Road on Friday 8 July.
A man walked into the shop, at around 2.05pm, and approached the counter, asking the female member of staff for a packet of cigarettes.
The offender then reached across the counter and tried to grab a gold chain from around the woman’s neck, but she stepped back out of his reach. The man then ran around the counter and demanded that she open the till.
His attempts to get into the cash drawer failed, but he successfully grabbed the woman’s chain before running from the store.
Detective constable Richard Edwards, from Sandwell CID, said: “We want to trace the man seen in the CCTV images in connection with this inquiry.
“The young woman assistant at the store was understandably fearful for her safety during the incident, and the offender became aggressive with his demands before snatching the woman’s gold chain.
“She suffered some minor cuts and bruises as a result of the incident, and was upset by what happened.
“We urge anyone who recognises the man to come forward.”
The stolen necklace was a 24 carat gold chain with a gold Sikh symbol pendant.
The offender is described as a black man, around 6ft tall, of medium build, and he wore a navy blue hooded top with dark coloured jeans. Under the hood he wore a dark coloured baseball cap.
DC Edwards added: “In recent months we have increased police activity across Sandwell to reduce robbery and to identify offenders.
“However, offences are still happening and the majority of offences are by opportunist criminals.
“Therefore, we are asking members of the public to be aware of the risks of wearing visible valuable jewellery.
“Hopefully with the help of the community we can continue to reduce this type of offending.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Sandwell CID at Smethwick police station on 0345 113 5000 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously 0800 555 111.
