Bookmaker worker’s terrifying axe robbery ordeal

A YOUNG Dungannon man, working in a local bookmakers, was subjected to a terrifying ordeal on Wednesday evening when a robber entered the premises and smashed the security glass at the counter with an axe.

The incident happened on Scotch Street in the town at around 7.50pm. The man demanded money from the staff member and made off on foot with what is believed to have been a large sum of cash.

The suspect is described as being approximately 5ft 4ins to 5ft 8ins in height, of slim build and having a local accent. He was wearing a light grey tracksuit with blue stripes and the hood pulled up, a balaclava, black gloves, a blue baseball hat, and black and white trainers.

Detectives are appealing for information.

Police have said the staff member, “whilst physically unharmed, was left shaken by what was obviously a terrifying experience for them”.

Town councillor Walter Cuddy has a business in the Market Square several hundred yards from where the incident took place. His establishment has been victim of similar attacks in the past.

“I know how terrifying that can be for staff,” he said. “I’d like to think police will be able to narrow down the suspects and get this perpetrator arrested and in custody as soon as possible. Crime can’t pay. Once he goes through this money he is likely to feel he got away with it and will do it again. He needs to be apprehended and held to account. I would appeal to anyone with information to bring it to the PSNI”.

Cllr Cuddy said such an attack can have a “lasting effect”.

He added, “We had a number of attacks in our premises and it can take staff a while to get over it. It is very traumatic. You just don’t know who will come through the door when it is quiet, early in the morning or late in the evening.”

Police enquiries into the incident are continuing.

Anyone who was in the area at the time and has any information, or who saw a male matching this description, is asked to call detectives on 101, quoting reference number 1561 of 29/12/21.