At about 6.35 pm yesterday evening a masked offender entered the East Side Tavern TAB, Cook Street, Hamilton armed with a shot gun. The offender presented the firearm at staff and demanded cash. The offender jumped the counter and placed cash into a bag before leaving the TAB.
Police believe that the offender then got into a dark blue Subaru Legacy (believed to be stolen) which fled from the scene a short time later. A vehicle of this description was last seen at the intersection of Grey and Cook Street driving at speed.
At about 10.55 pm a dark blue Subaru Legacy was located by Police on fire behind the Gouda Cheese Shop on Cambridge Road, Hamilton. Police believe that this vehicle is linked to the Aggravated Robbery at the East Side Tavern TAB.
Police are appealing for sightings of the vehicle in the Hamilton area between 6.45 pm and 10.55pm as well as information from the public of suspicious behavior in and around the Gouda Cheese Shop on Cambridge Road, Hamilton.
The offender was described as a male of unknown ethnicity, approximately 6 feet tall and wearing orange and blue overalls with reflectorised stripes.
Police would also like to hear from an Asian male who had a collision with the offender's vehicle whilst the offender was leaving the scene. This man was believed to be driving a black Toyota.
Police also wish to hear from members of the public who may have information about the dark blue subaru legacy used by the offender which is believed to have been stolen from the Mill Street Pak n Save car park on 22 September between 2 and 4pm. This vehicle has some distinctive features including tinted boot and rear passenger windows, scratched mags and a pink flower pattern cover on the driver's seat.
If any one has any information please contact Detective Sergeant William Loughrin on 07 211 7325 or 021 190 2963. Alternatively members of the public can anonymously call Crime Stoppers on 0800 555111.
ENDS
To be attributed to Detective Sergeant William Loughrin
