A terrified woman shop worker was tied up and her male colleague was beaten by three masked thugs during an “appalling” violent robbery.
The suspects burst into the local convenience store at around 7am yesterday and threatened staff before fleeing with stolen cash and cigarettes.
Two members of staff, a woman and a man both in their thirties, were tied up and the man was physically assaulted, although his injuries are not believed to be serious.
CCTV footage of the robbery in Tadworth, Surrey, shows the three suspects hanging around the shop’s sliding door and holding it open while they raided the inside.
Police are appealing for witnesses to the robbery and in particular want to trace an elderly woman who parked her pink car outside the One Stop store in Cross Road between 7.15am and 7.30am before entering and leaving the premises without buying anything.
Officers also want to speak with anyone who might have seen a dark blue small-to-medium sized car that the suspects left the scene in.
Two of the suspects are described as of Asian appearance and the third man is described as black.
All three were wearing dark coloured hoodies and tracksuit bottoms with trainers.
Detective constable Audrey Cumiskey said: “This was an appalling incident which left both victims physically shaken and we are doing everything possible to find those responsible.
“We believe that a number of people were passing the shops at around the time of the robbery and I would urge anyone in the vicinity who saw anything suspicious or anyone who thinks they may recognise the men in the CCTV images to contact officers with information as a matter of urgency.
“It has been reported that men matching the description of the suspects were seen in the area in the early morning of Friday and the early morning and late evening of Saturday.
“Similarly, anyone else who has seen any suspicious behaviour in the area in the days leading up to the incident should also call police - any information could prove vital to the investigation.”
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
