A robber who carried out three knifepoint robberies on the same stretch of road was caught out by his recognisable tattoos and trainers.
Paul Rekia, 33, was wearing a pair of black and white Nike trainers during all three robberies on Gorton Road, in Stockport, close to where he lives.
The crook also has distinctive tattoos on his hands, which were spotted by Detective Constable Robert Shakespeare.
The detective has worked in the town for 14 years and had previously come face to face with Rekia.
This local knowledge meant DC Shakespeare was able to identify Rekia on CCTV footage captured during one of the robberies.
Rekia has now been jailed for seven years for three robberies, during which he threatened shop assistants with a knife.
Rekia, of Gorton Road, Stockport, was sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court after pleading guilty to three robbery charges and associated possession of a bladed article.
“This was a shocking series of knife point robberies in a short space of time, where one victim was ruthlessly targeted, twice,” DC Shakespeare said.
“It was a terrifying ordeal for those involved, who were left very shaken, so I am pleased with today's result.
“Crimes of this nature will not be tolerated across Greater Manchester. Our Neighbourhood policing teams have invaluable experience policing their streets and will use their extensive knowledge to ensure that anyone who takes part in this kind of criminal activity will be brought to justice.”
Rekia first struck at the Go Local store, on Gorton Road, in Reddish, just after 5.30pm on Saturday January 2 this year.
At that time a staff member was working behind the till when Rekia entered the store and rushed behind the counter.
He grabbed the shopkeeper around the neck, held a knife to him and demanded that the till be opened.
Rekia took cash before turning his attention to the cigarette cabinet and filling a black plastic bag with cigarette packets before fleeing.
A few weeks later, just before 8.30pm on Sunday January 31, Rekia entered the same store and picked up a bag of sweets before approaching the same staff member again.
After a brief conversation in which Rekia tried to convince them to buy some crates of beer, he became agitated, pulled out a knife, jumped over the counter and demanded that the staff member open the till.
Rekia took out a bag, emptied packets of cigarettes from the display into it and demanded the till be opened.
He told the staff member he was “going to stab him” unless he cooperated.
He managed to open the till and again stole cash before leaving the shop.
Both attacks were captured on CCTV.
Rekia wore a hood and mask during both robberies - but he also wore the same dark jogging bottoms and black and white Nike trainers.
Recognisable tattoos on his hands were also visible, and helped DC Shakespeare to identify him when he was reviewing the footage.
Greater Manchester Police said the detective “recognised Rekia as the offender, as he has spent 14 years working in the Stockport area, and Rekia was known to him”.
Just days later, on Friday February 5, Rekia struck again - this time at an off-licence on Gorton Road.
At around 8pm, Rekia and an unknown male entered the store where a female staff member was working, joined by two friends.
The unknown man ran around the counter and began pulling cigarettes from the display, before demanding that the worker open up the till.
Rekia was again wearing the same black and white Nike trainers, with the same tattoos visible.
He was brandishing a knife when he pushed the two friends of the female staff member into a room at the rear.
He then returned to the front of the store and picked up a bottle of alcohol before both men left.
Rekia was arrested on Thursday, February 11.
During a search of his address, officers found a black lock knife and a pair of black and white Nike trainers.
Anyone with any concerns or information about a crime can call police on 101, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
