A machete-wielding robber who held a knife to a woman’s throat and demanded cash is on the run from police.
The robber jumped over the back wall at Costcutter in Springfield Road, Grantham, on Thursday night (Feb 14), before lying in wait next to the back door.
When a female member of staff opened the door the man held a knife to her throat and demanded cash. Store manager Kumanan Nadarajah described the blade as being as long as his forearm.
Mr Nadarajah said: “He kept the female member of staff with him the whole time. He got her to the till area and told her to do what he said or he is going to hit her.
“He threatened her. At one point he did have the machete against her throat. She is pretty shaken.”
More than £600 was taken in the robbery, which took place at around 9.20pm.
Detective sergeant Jon Shield said: “This was a terrifying attack. The offender held a 12-inch machete to the throat of a 25-year-old woman, marched her through the shop and demanded cash.
“It was a cowardly act that has left her shaken and traumatised.”
Ds Shield is calling on the community to help police catch the robber.
The police is offering a reward of £300 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
He said: “A number of people in the community know who has done this and where he is. We are appealing for them to come forward and help us with our enquiries.”
The back wall of Costcutter is surrounded by barbed wire although Mr Nadarajah said he had never experienced problems at the shop before.
Ian James, store development manager, said: “The guy came over the wall and waited for a member of staff to come out of the back door which normally happens at that time of night to empty the bins.
“He waited round the corner for the door to open then came inside.”
Another member of staff heard the woman scream when the robber came in the shop.
Mr Nadarajah said: “She screamed because she was surprised and the male member of staff shouted: ‘Are you okay?’
“He came through and, obviously, at that point he realised what had happened so he ran through the shop to shout for help. But the robber had already got the female member of staff to the till area.”
The robber is described as a white male, between 30 and 40 years old. He was wearing a blue and white hoodie.
l Anyone with information is asked to call Lincolnshire Police on 101 or Ds Shield direct, in confidence, on 07776226816.