Hammer-wielding robber on the run evades armed police

An armed robber who smashed up shops in Cheltenham^[1] with a hammer during attacks that left people "shaken" is still on the run after 24 hours, police have said. An investigation has been launched by Gloucestershire Police following two separate incidents in the town, which officers believe are connected and led to a high-profile armed response from the force.

Police^[2] said both incidents took place yesterday (August 15), the first at a shop on Hester's Way Road at 6.15am and the other on Winchcombe Street just after 1pm. During the first robbery, a man entered the store carrying a hammer and smashed the till, taking money from inside, before speeding off in a white van, believed to be a Ford Transit Courier.

The second incident saw a man walk into a shop and threaten staff before smashing display cabinets and stealing items^[3]. He then left the scene in a white van, which mounted the pavement and put pedestrians in great danger.

No-one was injured during the incidents, police said, but some were left "shaken" by the ordeal. A large 999 response swooped to Moors Avenue as searches were conducted as part of the investigation, with armed response officers at the scene, which was cordoned off.

In an update this morning (August 16), the force said no arrests have been made and the man remains at large. Police said officers are continuing their investigation and attempts to locate the individual, who is described as being white, around 5ft 8ins in height and of slim build.

A police statement said: "Police are investigating a robbery which took place in Cheltenham yesterday afternoon (Tuesday, August 15). Officers were called to Winchcombe Street shortly after 1pm with a report that a man with a hammer had entered a shop.

"He threatened staff before smashing display cabinets and stealing a number of items. The man fled the scene in a white van, which mounted the pavement and narrowly missed a number of people as it drove off.

"No injuries were reported, however people are shaken by the ordeal. The van headed in the direction of High Street and Rodney Road. The offender was described as being white, 5ft 8in in height and of a slim build. No arrests have been made at this stage and enquiries are ongoing to locate the suspect.

"Officers are linking the robbery to an incident which took place elsewhere in Cheltenham yesterday morning. In that incident a man carrying a hammer entered a store on Hester's Way Road at around 6.15am, where he smashed the till before taking a quantity of money.

"He then left the area in a white van, believed to be a Ford Transit Courier, which headed in the direction of Princess Elizabeth Way.

"Police would like to speak to anybody else who may have information or footage in relation to either incident. You can contact Gloucestershire Constabulary through this website^[5], quoting incident 190 of 15 August."

References

1. ^{^} Cheltenham (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Police (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
3. ^{^} The second incident saw a man walk into a shop and threaten staff before smashing display cabinets and stealing items (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
4. ^{^} Latest after armed police cordon off Cheltenham street (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
5. ^{^} this website (www.gloucestershire.police.uk)