Shoppers speak of horror after Staffordshire pharmacy armed raid
Witnesses today spoke of their horror after a pharmacy in a quiet Staffordshire town was targeted by armed robbers.
A masked man wielding a BB gun stormed into Lloyds Pharmacy in Burntwood yesterday and threatened staff.
Annette Chapman, who owns a burger van opposite the shop in Lichfield Road, watched the drama unfold.
The 40-year-old said: "I was serving a customer at the time and we heard shouting. I came out my van to have a look what was going on. There was a scuffle outside the pharmacy.
"There was a man wearing a cap who had been pushed to the ground by someone in the pharmacy.
"I didn't notice the car parked up outside but he managed to get free and get into the car which then sped off towards Lichfield.
"I'm really shocked that this has happened. I've only had my van for three weeks. I heard one of the men had a gun. It really frightened me."
A worker from Lollipops childrenswear next door to Lloyds said the getaway car was parked right outside the shop.
The pharmacy was cordoned off after the raid and forensic officers scoured the scene.
Police described the man who threatened staff as white, aged in mid-20s, 5ft 8ins tall with short mousey brown hair and he was wearing a grey hooded top.
It is believed he fled the scene in a black VW Passat and that two other men were in the car.
Officers searched the area with help from the police helicopter.
Staffordshire Police spokeswoman Sarah Davison said: "Officers were called to Lloyds Pharmacy in Lichfield Road just before 10.40am. The culprit threatened staff with the weapon, which he then discarded at the scene.
"Armed response officers and officers from the dog support unit attended the scene and began to search the area.
"The firearm was found discarded at the scene and is believed to be a BB gun."
It is the third business to be targeted by armed robbers in Staffordshire this week. Two masked robbers armed with a hammer threatened staff at Co-op in Brownhills Road, Norton Canes before stealing money from the till on Tuesday.
The following day three masked robbers armed with a crowbar attacked a shopper and threatened security guards who were inside the Co-op in Springfield Road, Rugeley, at the cash machine. They did not manage to take any money.
Police say they are looking into whether the robberies are all linked.
Witnesses should call 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
