Police hunt witnesses to knifepoint robbery

Victims claim two men wearing black wielded knife and metal chain as they returned from shopping in Newbury

TWO Greenham men robbed shoppers at knifepoint as they made their way home from Tesco, it has been alleged.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which is said to have occurred outside Jago Court in Newtown Road between 12.10am and 12.30am Newbury in the early hours of Tuesday (January 21).

The victims, a 23-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man, claimed that they were walking back from the Tesco Extra on Pinchington Lane when they passed two men who were dressed in black.

The men then followed the victims to Jago Court and allegedly rushed up to them as they were about to open the communal front door, where they wielded a knife and metal chain and demanded cash.

The victims handed over £40. Police have since arrested a 25-year-old man and an 18-year-old man, both from Greenham, in connection with the incident.

The men, who have not yet been named by police, have been released on bail to return to Newbury police station on Tuesday, March 8.

Det Con Greg Hulse, from Newbury CID, said: “Although we have made two arrests in connection with this incident, we still need to speak to more witnesses.

“I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who saw two men dressed in black, with their faces covered, in this area around the time of the incident.

“Someone could have been seriously hurt in this incident and I urge anyone with any information to come forward and speak to police as a matter of urgency.”

Anyone with any information is urged to contact police on 0845 8 505 505, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.