AN ARMED robber held up a general store and demanded cash from a lone female shop assistant.
The thief, a stocking on his head, burst into the shop, in Scurfield Road, Hardwick, Stockton, at 7.45pm on Saturday and threatened the woman with a handgun and a ten-inch knife.
He jumped over the counter and unsuccessfully tried to force open the till, before fleeing in a blue Vauxhall Belmont, registration number F665 COJ, stolen earlier in the day from Back Lane, Stockton. It was later found abandoned in Dunmail Road.
The shop assistant was said to be "extremely shaken" but otherwise unhurt.
The armed robber is described as white, medium build, dark hair and between 5ft 9in and 6ft tall. He was wearing a dark top, dark bottoms and white trainers.
Anyone with information about the crimes is asked to call Detective Sergeant Adrian Bradley on (01642) 302226.
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