By Alan Robertson and Kirsty Topping
A SWORD-WIELDING robber who raided a post office and forced terrified staff to hand over at least 10,000 fled the scene on a bike.
The masked man, and his woman accomplice, struggled with a clerk at the shop who managed to prevent the pair making off with even more cash.
When they fled the shop in Livingston, West Lothian, witnesses saw the man tuck the sword under his arm.
He and the woman then jumped on bicycles and made their escape away from the post office in Cameron Way, Knightsridge.
Javed Iqbal, 47, manager of the nearby Superfare, said the weapon looked like a Samurai sword.
He added:
“The police came into the shop to speak to me and ask for the CCTV.
“I saw from the CCTV they made their getaway on bicycles – a man and a woman.
“The sword was about arm size length and he had it tucked through the front and under his arm.
“I think it was just a long blade with the handle behind. His face was covered with a hood down and he was wearing a mask.
“Both of them came into my shop twice earlier that day. They came in together at 2pm when my wife served them and a second time at 3.30pm when he was alone.
“I was in the back of the shop the first time and my wife served them. When the two came in they were short of 50p.
“I recognized the guy. He’s about 40-years-old and comes in mostly every day. I’ve known him for a long time. It’s a big surprise. I saw him on the CCTV and he was wearing a navy jacket and a navy mask. “
The raid happened at around 4.45pm yesterday.
Javed Iqbal, manager of nearby Superfare convenience store.
A police spokesman described the sword was
“large’ and
“intimidating.”
He added: “The suspects made off with a substantial amount of cash, and if it was not for the brave actions of the clerk they would have made off with a far greater amount. “
The clerk was uninjured in the attack but was left feeling
“shaken.”
The male suspect is described as white, around 40 to 50-years-old, 6ft tall, thin build, wearing a black waterproof jacket, denim jeans, and brown boots.
The woman is described as white, 30 to 40-years-old, 5ft 2ins tall, chubby build, wearing a dark-coloured hooded jacket, and tracksuit bottoms.
The police spokesman continued: “We believe members of the public were in the area of Knightsridge Post Office around the time of the robbery and we urge them to contact us at Livingston Police Station.
“Similarly, anyone else who recognises their descriptions, or who has any other information that can assist our inquiries, should also get in touch.”
Livingston Councillor Bruce Ferrie said:
“They went into a small, friendly post office run by very friendly people. It is an absolutely dreadful crime. And they got away on bikes. It’s incredible. “
Anyone with any information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.
