Shopkeeper threatened with hammer leads police to suspected robber

Three men burst into the One Stop store on Hales Lane, Smethwick, and jumped the counter before getting away with cigarettes, spirits and scratch cards.

The shift manager, who does not wish to be named, attempted to stop them but thought better of it when one of the robbers held up the hammer and warned him off.

However, he had the last laugh when he followed one of the crooks after leaving the store while on the phone to the police. One suspect was arrested soon after.

He said he and another male colleague, who was in the shop at the time, were left shaken but were not hurt. They went into a back room when it became clear they would not be able to overpower the crooks. Once they left, he began to track them from a safe distance.

He said: "The males came in and jumped the till. One had a hammer and said 'move'. He said 'move' again and raised the hammer and that if I didn't he would do something

"When they left the shop I phoned the police. I followed one of the suspects to the point I couldn't see them any more."

The hunt was quickly launched for the robbers and one man was arrested nearby.

He said he was shaken immediately after the robbery but added: "After I was just glad no-one was hurt."

Police said a 35-year-old man remained in custody last night after being arrested on suspicion of robbery following the raid at around 8pm on Friday. Officers are still hunting the other two men and have appealed for anyone with information to call 101.

A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: “It is believed three men entered the store at around 8pm and threatened a staff member with a hammer, before making off with cigarettes, spirits and scratch cards.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact police via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am – midnight, or to call 101 anytime.

“Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111. Please quote crime reference 20SW/248264L/18.”