Police investigate Winthrop armed robbery

by Emil Goh

April 28, 2008

POLICE are investigating an armed robbery that occurred on April 27 at a supermarket in Winthrop Village Shopping Centre.

Two offenders wearing balaclavas and armed with shotguns entered the SUPA-IGA supermarket about 1pm and demanded an employee hand over cash. The manager handed an undisclosed sum from the safe to one of the men.

Both men ran through a fire-door to the back of the shopping centre and fled in a dark blue Holden Commodore without firing a shot. Nobody in the supermarket was hurt, but some suffered from shock.

A lady who worked opposite the supermarket noticed a commotion and some distraught people at the scene after the robbers had fled.

“The robbers scared the children a fair bit but thank goodness nobody was hurt,” said Debbie (surname witheld).

Police Senior Sergeant Graeme Lewington said neither robber had been caught.

“This robbery could be connected to a series of robberies,” Sgt Lewington said.

The supermarket declined to comment when called.

One robber was described to be about six feet tall, wearing a brown collared shirt, black pants and black boots. His accomplice was wearing a blue tracksuit and carried a black carrier. Both were wearing dark jackets and black motorcycle gloves.