Police hunt gunman who held up Viewpark bookies

Feb 25 2010 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

Police hunt gunman who held up Viewpark bookies

A GUNMAN made off with a three-figure sum of cash after holding up a Lanarkshire bookies.

Detectives this week stepped up their hunt for the thief who robbed William Hill’s in Viewpark’s Old Edinburgh Road on Saturday at 6.25pm.

The raider burst into the betting shop and threatened two members of staff with what appeared to be a firearm, then made off with the cash.

He was last seen entering a small car outside the shop.

No firearm was discharged and no persons were injured. However, the two staff members, one man and one woman, were badly shaken as a result of the robbery.

The suspect is described as 5ft 5ins and was wearing a scarf covering his face.

Extensive enquiries are ongoing into the robbery, and police are currently studying CCTV footage in a bid to identify the suspect.

A police spokesman said: “At the time of the robbery, Old Edinburgh Road would still have been quite busy with motorists and pedestrians.

“Officers would like to appeal to anyone who witnessed the robbery, or anyone acting suspiciously to contact Bellshill Police Office on 202400. Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”

Last December, the Advertiser reported how an armed robber held up McKenna’s Bookmakers in Bothwell’s Main Street.

The bookie had been robbed at least four times in five years.