DETECTIVES investigating a knifepoint robbery believe it may be connected to an incident earlier the same day.
At 7.45am on Sunday (July 26), a man with a kitchen knife and wearing a bag over his head carried out an armed robbery at the One Stop shop in York Road, Birtley.
He threatened a member of staff with the knife before escaping on foot with a small amount of cash. No-one was hurt in the incident.
The robber is described as being white, approximately 5ft 4ins tall and of slim build. At the time he was wearing a blue hoodie, with a light blue shirt underneath, black tracksuit bottoms..
Police believe the robbery could be connected to an incident earlier the same morning, when a man went into the BP motorway services in Birtley carrying a knife.
On that occasion, no threats were made and the man left the scene without incident.
He was described as wearing a dark tracksuit and dark trainers with a bright orange stripe.
Witnesses to either incident are asked to contact Northumbria Police on 101 ext 69191 quoting reference 389 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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