Armed robber shoots into the ceiling but leaves his gun behind after terrifying service station raid
- Gunman enters Shell Greengate Service Station in Middleton, Rochdale at 10pm
- He threatens staff with gun before firing shot into the ceiling and grabbing items
- Robber didn't manage to access cash but stole armfuls of wine and tobacco
An armed robber fired a shot into the ceiling in front of terrified petrol station staff before making away with armfuls of wine and cigarettes in shocking footage.
The CCTV footage, filmed last Wednesday, captures a masked man as he strolls into the Shell Greengate Service Station in Middleton, Rochdale holding a firearm.
He then approaches the till point, and glances at items on the counter before suddenly revealing his gun to a staff member.
The pair appear to speak for a moment, the robber gesturing his gun towards the till, before he points the barrel upwards and fires a shot into the ceiling.
The CCTV footage, filmed last Wednesday, captures a masked man as he strolls into the Shell Greengate Service Station in Middleton, Rochdale holding a firearm
The Shell employee then flees towards a back room, as the gunman attempts to access the till from across the counter - dropping his gun in the process.
He soon gives up, and instead grabs items from around the store including wine and tobacco.
The gunman then attempts once more to access the till before fleeing the store when a car pulls up outside.
Detective Sergeant Richard Shelton, of GMP's Rochdale division, said: 'This was a frightening incident which has left a number of people feeling anxious and fearful.
'We are treating this robbery very seriously and investigating all available lines of enquiry. In his attempt to flee, the offender left his gun behind which has been seized and sent for forensic analysis by our officers.
He then approaches the till point, and glances at items on the counter before suddenly revealing his gun to a staff member
The pair appear to speak for a moment, the robber gesturing his gun towards the till, before he points the barrel upwards and fires a shot into the ceiling
'We have released CCTV footage of the incident and are hopeful that there are a number of witnesses who may be able to help with our investigation.
'I am asking for anyone who was in the area at the time and may have any information at all, no matter how small you may think it is, to get in touch with police as soon as possible.'
Anyone with information about the robbery should call police on 0161 856 4668, quoting incident number 3121 of 27/05/2020.
Reports can also be made anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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