Masked robber terror at store

A masked man armed with a metal bar made off in a stolen car with cash and cigarettes after raiding a convenience store in South Staffordshire.

Victim Jayesh Patel today spoke of his horror at being confronted by the robber at his Hill Street Grocers shop in Essington last night.

The thug demanded cash from the till and cigarettes before reaching over and loading about £150 and cartons of cigarettes into a bag as 43-year-old Mr Patel and his wife stood by helplessly.

A getaway driver in a red Hyundai Trajet, stolen from outside Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre at 12.30pm yesterday, sounded his horn to alert the robber that another customer was on the way before the pair fled.

Mr Patel, who lives at the shop, said this afternoon: "I thought 'Take the money as long as you don't hurt me'.

"It was dark so I didn't see the other man. They just drove off."

The robbery happened at 6.45pm. The man is described as being in his late teens to early 20s. He was wearing a black tracksuit, black bottoms, a black shirt with a silver motif and white trainers.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Chase CID on 0300 1234455.