TWO knife-wielding raiders who robbed a bookmakers wearing a clown mask and a skull bandana are being hunted by police.

The pair demanded a 26-year-old member of staff open a cash drawer in the Ladbrokes betting shop, with one of the men jumping over the counter, brandishing a large knife.

The Northern Echo:

Cash was taken from the till during the raid, with the men running away from the shop on Borough Road, in Middlesbrough, following the incident at around 8.50pm on Tuesday, July 18.

Cleveland Police’s DC Paul Whitehouse, who is leading an investigation into the armed robbery, said: “This was an extremely sickening crime. They brandished a large knife to frighten the victim.

“He was extremely shaken by the incident and will never forget it.

“The investigating is still on – going and anyone who either witnessed it or knows anything about it are asked to get in touch, particularly anyone who saw the males prior to the incident or after the attack.

“Any information will be dealt with in the strictest of confidence.”

The Northern Echo:

The pair are both aged around 20-years-old with one wearing a white clown mask, with bright red lips and orange or green hair attached.

He work dark clothing and black gloves and is around 5ft 9ins tall. He spoke with a Middlesbrough accent.

The second man is described as black and around 6ft 3ins, wearing a black bobble hat with a bandana covering the bottom half of his face with a skull design printed on it.

He wore navy Adidas tracksuit bottoms with white stripes along the side of the legs, as well as a black waist-length jacket and light-coloured gloves.

He spoke with a Middlesbrough or African accent.

Both of the men were seen running towards Rutland Court, leaving the male member of Ladbrokes staff uninjured but in shock.

  • Anyone with information on the incident can contact Cleveland Police by calling 101