Shropshire Star

Shopkeeper tells how would-be robber pulled gun on him

A shopkeeper today told how a would-be robber "power-walked" into his village store and threatened him with a gun before losing his nerve and fleeing the scene.

Published

Ian Jones revealed how he managed to unnerve the man as he demanded money from the till, before he left the store in the Mid Wales village of Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant.

The police helicopter was brought in after the robbery attempt on Wednesday night. Three people were arrested in Oswestry in the early hours of the morning.

Mr Jones, 49, who was unhurt in the incident, runs the Greatorex village stores with his mother Glenda and brother Mark.

He said the man came into the shop about about 8pm.

"Someone in the village said they had seen him power walking quite fast through the village – he must have parked away from the shop," he said.

"He came in and went straight to the alcohol section. It was a diversion I suppose. He came to the till with two bottles of spirits then pulled out the gun and said 'Give me all your money, give me all your money'.

"I was stunned. In 25 years here there have been no problems in the shop."

Mr Jones, who also owns the village newsagents, said he decided to try to stall the man.

"I just said 'Wat are you doing? Why are you doing this?'.

"I didn't want to upset him, so I didn't refuse, I just kept talking. Eventually he turned around and walked out with the bottles."

Mr Jones said local people had been very supportive, contacting him to ensure he was none the worse for his ordeal.

Resident Mike Druiker said: "The whole community is shocked. You just don't expect this sort of thing to happen here."

After Mr Jones raised the alarm, officers from Dyfed-Powys and neighbouring West Mercia Police, mounted a search for the man, with the West Mercia helicopter brought in.

Dyfed-Powys Police is appealing for witnesses or anyone with more information about this incident to call 101.

"Police will carry out increased patrols of the area to offer reassurance to residents," a spokesman said.

"A 43-year-old male, a 27-year-old male and a 31-year-old female, all from the Oswestry area, were arrested at about 2am on Thursday, and are currently in police custody."

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