Police hunt for third corner shop robber

POLICE are intensifying their hunt for armed robbers following a third knifepoint raid on a St Peter Port shop in 20 days. The latest was on Friday when money was believed to have been taken from Candie Cache Stores at about 7.10pm. The raid left its elderly owner, Dorothy Trebert, stunned.

In each case, a woman working alone has been threatened.

Two local people ' a man and a woman ' were arrested within hours at a nearby hotel.

After helping police, they were released without charge on Saturday.

Police want to speak to a man in his early 20s, about 6ft tall, of medium build, who was seen walking down Candie Road towards Town soon after the robbery.

He stepped into the road to avoid a woman walking up the hill.

Police would not say whether the robber was masked and what he was wearing.

The robbery followed a similar night-time one at Contree Mansell Stores at the end of January and a daylight attack at Union Street Stores last Tuesday afternoon.

'While I acknowledge there are a great many similarities between all three recent robberies, the investigating officers continue to approach each crime with an open mind,' said acting Detective Chief Inspector Nigel Taylor.

'We want to reassure the public we are doing everything we can. We are investigating this,' he said.

'Our extensive enquiries are continuing and we would like to hear from anyone who may have been in the area of Candie Cache Stores around the time of the robbery or who may have information about it.'

Witnesses reported a stream of flashing blue lights outside the small corner shop in Candie Road within five minutes of the robbery.

John Gauvain, 17, and Simon de Mouilpied, 16, were walking in the area.

'We saw three policemen outside and asked if we could go in and one said no,' said Mr Gauvain.

'A young man in his late teens walked past and I heard police dogs barking. Two policemen stopped him and asked him a few questions and he was allowed to walk off,' he said.

Just before 8.30pm, two police officers were guarding the premises, with a patrol car parked outside.

News spread quickly that another robbery had taken place.

The shop assistant, who looked pale and shell-shocked, was still inside and at 8.38pm the window shutters were pulled down.

Police prevented any customers from entering the shop nearly two hours before normal closing time.

Neighbours said they had not seen or heard anything.

A police van arrived at about 9pm and a plain-clothes officer went inside.

At 9.25pm the lights were still on in the shop.

Two women staff were unable to give any details on Saturday about the robbery.

*'Anybody with information should contact CID on 725111 or the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.