CCTV shows moment robber 'holds knife to shopkeeper's face' before making off with £400

Ramzy Alwakeel7 October 2015
WEST END FINAL

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CCTV footage has captured the moment a man held a large knife to a north London shopkeeper’s face and demanded cash.

The robbery happened on Tuesday last week at a newsagent’s in Clerkenwell Close, Islington, and left the shopkeeper £400 out of pocket.

Police say the raider stormed into the off-licence and threatened the man behind the counter, impatiently smashing a chewing gum stand to the floor moments later.

Detectives now want to trace a man pictured drinking out of a can nearby before the robbery.

Appeal: Police want to trace this man following a robbery in Islington Metropolitan Police
Metropolitan Police

They today launched an appeal to find a white man in his 20s who was about 5ft 9ins and had short, blond hair.

"As the staff member struggled to open the till, the suspect pushed a chewing gum stand to the floor and demanded he hurry up," said a Met spokesman.

"A total of £400 was handed over and the suspect ran out of the store towards Sans Walk."

The footage, captured by a camera inside the store, shows a masked man in a black anorak with his hood pulled up enter the shop before pushing something off-screen.

A second later the shopkeeper can be seen backing away hurriedly, still facing him, before the attacker walks into shot brandishing a long blade and turning from side to side – apparently oblivious to the shoppers walking past outside, just feet away.

After a cut he is seen calmly leaving the shop.

Anyone who recognises him is asked to contact police on 101 quoting image reference number 191154, or phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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