Detectives investigating an armed robbery in the Strouden Park area of Bournemouth have releasing an image of the suspect who they believe may be linked to a robbery in Boscombe the day before.
At 12.03pm on Thursday 8 May 2014, a man dressed in dark clothing entered the Coral Bookmakers on Castle Lane West and threatened a female member of staff with a large knife and demanded money. He took cash from the member of staff and left in a westerly direction. Two members of the public were inside the store at the time the incident occurred but nobody was injured.
The suspect is described as a white, aged in his twenties to thirties, about five feet ten inches tall and of medium build. He was wearing a grey hooded top.
Following enquiries and analysis of the images, police believe the same suspect to be involved in another armed robbery which took place at Ladbrokes in Christchurch Road, Boscombe on Wednesday 7 May 2014.
DC Sara Butler, of Bournemouth CID, said: “I am already able to release this CCTV image in relation to this incident.
“As this is a very clear image, I am hoping that somebody will recognise the suspect.
“I am keen to speak with anyone who has any information about the incident or can identify the man pictured.
“Dorset Police takes these incidents very seriously and perpetrators will be arrested and dealt with robustly. Anyone convicted of such a crime is likely to face a very lengthy prison sentence.”
Detective Inspector Mark Samuel, of Bournemouth CID, said: “We are aware that there have been a number of robberies in the Bournemouth area recently.
“I would like to assure the public that robberies are a priority area for Dorset Police and the Criminal Investigation Department thoroughly investigates this type of crime using specially trained detective officers and analysts.”
No arrests have been made.
Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting incident number 8:144 Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.
