Man wields kitchen knife in robbery at amusement arcade

2:56pm Friday 7th December 2001

A MAN fled a Watford amusement arcade carrying stolen cash on Sunday, December 2, after threatening a female cashier with a kitchen knife.

The incident occurred at 3.35pm at the Reels Amusement Arcade in St Albans Road, Watford.

The robber walked into the arcade and demanded the 45-year-old cashier hand over cash.

Initially, the woman refused his demands. But the robber then produced a wooden-handled kitchen knife from the waistband of his jeans and threatened her.

Fearing for her safety, the woman handed over an undisclosed amount of cash, and the man ran from the store.

The culprit had been spotted at the arcade on several occasions in recent weeks attempting to sell mobile phone fascias to staff.

He is white, aged between 18 and 25, and has brown hair, distinctive, long sideburns and a goatee.

DC Iain MacPherson, from the Western Area Crime Unit said the female cashier had been very shaken by the robbery.

He said: "This man was seen on several occasions at the arcade in the few days prior to the robbery.

"So as well as appealing for witnesses to the incident, I would also be keen to hear from anyone who was approached by this man offering to sell them a mobile phone."

Anyone with information can telephone police on 01923 472065.

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