A MAN who entered an off-licence posing as a customer threatened a female shop assistant before pushing her into the back room and stealing more than £800 worth of cigarettes.

The robbery occurred at the Cellar 5 store in Peckers Hill Road, Sutton, between 5.50 and 6pm on Sunday, July 6 when the man walked up to the counter and asked the assistant about some soft drinks.

However, before she could answer, he pushed her backwards into the storeroom, followed her in and told her to stay put. He then filled-up a black, plastic bin bag with boxes of Embassy Regal Kingsize cigarettes and made his escape.

The raider was white, between 25 and 30 years of age, 5ft 10ins to 6ft tall with a thin build and short brown hair. He was wearing a blue tracksuit top and had a scruffy appearance.

ANYONE with information on this incident can contact DC Bowes at St Helens CID on 0151 777 6064; the Crime Management Unit on 0151 777 6053; or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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