Detective Inspector Iwan Roberts Investigate Robberies

North Wales Police are appealing for witnesses following a robbery and attempted robbery in Rhyl and Abergele yesterday evening, Monday 28th March 2016. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Detective Inspector Iwan Roberts who is leading both investigations said “At about 7.40pm yesterday evening, Monday 28th March 2016 Police were notified that a robbery had just taken place at Palace Arcade in West Parade Rhyl. One of the arcade’s staff working by the entrance to the ‘Laser Zone’ was threatened with a knife resulting in an offender making off with cash from a till which fortunately is not a significant amount. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The man, who may have had a north east accent, is described as white, stocky build, about 6’ 1 and 20 to 25 years old. He was wearing an ‘Umbro’ navy blue fleece type hooded jacket, with the hood worn up and a dark coloured face covering. The jacket bore an ‘Umbro’ motif on its left breast. He was also wearing black gloves and jeans. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“He was seen to run off in the direction of Abbey Street at which point he was possibly joined by an accomplice who ran off with him. The second man is of similar height and was wearing a dark/black coloured waterproof type material hooded jacket with the hood worn up. Fortunately the arcade worker was not injured but the incident has clearly shaken him” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

DI Roberts added “Then shortly after 9.30pm the same evening an attempt robbery took place at Premier Store in Maes Canol Abergele when two men walked into the shop and threatened staff with a wooden bat type implement. They attempted to take the till’s contents but were unsuccessful and after less than a minute both ran from the shop empty handed. Fortunately no one was injured.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The alarm was raised and local officers were quickly deployed to the scene and a search made of the surrounding area but at this time the offenders remain outstanding. Both men are described as being aged in their early to mid-twenties of medium build and about 5’6 tall. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“One wore a dark blue hooded jacket with the hood up, dark tracksuit bottoms and dark trainers. His accomplice is a white skinned man who was also wearing a dark coloured hooded jacket worn up with dark coloured trousers and footwear. We believe both may have worn gloves. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I’d like to hear from anyone who was in the areas of last night’s incidents and saw any suspicious activity or knows anything about these crimes to contact Police immediately. Whilst it’s important to keep an open mind, at this stage I do not believe the incidents are connected.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

If you can assist with either investigation please contact North Wales Police on 101 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and quote RC 1604 4494 (Rhyl) or RC1604 4569 (Abergele). ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​