A MAN threatened a Stretford shop worker with a gun after she refused to give him a £1 discount on a bottle of beer.


But no sooner had the woman told the gunman that the police were on their way, he put the gun back in his waistband and paid for the beer.


He then calmly put the change in a charity box.


The incident took place at the One Stop Store at around 9.40am on January 4.


The man casually strolled into the store and picked out two bottles of beer, which he put on the counter.


After requesting the shop assistant, 51, give him a £1 discount, which she refused, he pulled a gun from his waistband and cocked the weapon.


Shocked, the shop assistant told the gunman the police were on the way to which the man replied ‘I don’t want that’ and paid her £3 for just one of the bottles.


He then placed in the change in a charity box and walked out.


The man is described as white, of a heavy build and about 20-25-years-old.
He was said to be 5ft 5in to 5ft 8in tall, with a shaved head, ‘fat’ face and wearing a black baseball cap with a motif on its peak.


He was also wearing a burgundy jacket with light coloured sleeves, dark trousers, light-coloured shoes, a dark coloured T-shirt with an unknown emblem on the front and jeans.


Police are now appealing to anyone with information to come forward.


Det Con Andy Warren said: "This was, quite frankly, a bizarre robbery the likes of which I have never come across before.


“Quite what the offender was thinking I do not know but his actions were extremely strange.


"However, I want to be absolutely clear that while some might find his behaviour odd, this is no laughing matter.


"He pulled out a gun and cocked it in an intimidating manner in front of a shop worker who had no idea what he was going to do and whether he would genuinely fire the weapon.


“For her it was a terrifying experience and we therefore need to catch this man before he tries anything like this again.


"We have released a CCTV still of the man and I would appeal to anyone who recognises this man to come forward.


"I also want shopkeepers in the local area to be vigilant and study this picture. If this man comes into your shop, do not wait for him to try something similar but call the police immediately."


Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

 

Watch video footage of the incident here