Robbers make off with £100,000 from Viewpark post office

Nov 26 2009 by John Rowbotham, Hamilton Advertiser

THIEVES this week got away with about £100,000 when they raided a Lanarkshire post office.

It happened at 6pm on Tuesday when two men entered the Post Office in Market Place, Viewpark.

They threatened a male member of staff with what appeared to be a firearm and made off with the cash.

There were no customers in the premises and the member of staff was badly shaken but otherwise uninjured.

Police swooped on the Post Office shortly after the alarm was raised and the Force helicopter was deployed in the hunt for the thieves.

It was the third armed raid in Lanarkshire in a month.

Police say one of the suspects in the Viewpark post office raid was white, about 6ft, stocky build, and wearing a black-hooded top, dark jeans and Timberland style boots.

His accomplice was also white male, mid-30s, 5ft 10in, medium build, and wearing a dark, woollen military-type jumper, dark trousers or jeans and dark boots.

Both men spoke with Lanarkshire accents and had with them a large holdall.

A resident who lives nearby said: “My friend just lives along the road from me, and she rang to ask me if I knew why the police helicopter was hovering about the area. I had a look outside and there were police and CID everywhere.

“Part of Market Road was cordoned off and all the neighbours initially thought somebody must have been shot because of the number of police. But a cop standing at one of the cordons told me nobody was hurt, which was a relief.

“It all started around 6pm, and there were still police there at 10.30pm. There was talk of both the Post Office and the chemist being robbed because they are linked.”

Detective Inspector John Jack, of Bellshill CID, said: “I would appeal to anyone who may have seen the suspects in the area of Market Square anytime between 5.30pm and 6.30pm to come forward.

Contact Bellshill Police Office on 01698 202400 or CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111.

On November 6, two masked men armed with machetes attempted to rob a female security guard at Low Waters Road Post Office, Hamilton.

The raiders struck as a cash machine was being replenished but fled empty-handed.

And on November 10, £40,000 was stolen in a raid on security guards at a cash machine at Forrest Spar, Drumgelloch, Airdrie. A Bothwell man appeared at court in connection with the Airdrie robbery and was remanded in custody.