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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Abigail Nicholson

Woman runs in horror as men in balaclavas storm newsagents

This is the moment a woman ran away in horror as a gang of men wearing balaclavas stormed a newsagents.

Footage caught on CCTV captured the moment a gang of men balaclavas stormed the Gentwood Convenience Store on on Gentwood Parade, in Huyton on Wednesday, June 14. Just after 11.35am the men were seen running into the newsagents as a woman watched on holding a bag.

The woman then turned around and ran to a nearby shop in horror as the men appeared to scuffle with somebody inside the newsagents. Two of the men ran outside quickly as a number of fizzy drink cans and bottles rolled out into the pavement.

READ MORE: Live court updates as Connor Chapman stands trial for Elle Edwards' murder

The men then start trying to pull open the door of the convenience store as one of the suspects shouted "yank it open". When one man managed to pull the door from its hinges a woman can be heard screaming loudly.

Two of the men ran inside the store for a second time as the other shouted "hurry up" from outside. The men then ran out of shot and a vehicle could be heard starting.

By 11.40am Mersesyside Police arrived at the scene to investigate the incident. According to Merseyside Police five men wearing balaclavas tried to remove the newsagent's cash machine with crowbars.

The gang are believed to have then left the scene in a black Nissan Quasqai car, which was later found on fire on Kingswood. Merseyside Fire and Rescue attended the scene to put out the blaze. It is then believe the gang fled in a Volkswagen Golf towards Rupert Road.

An investigation is now underway with forensics at the scene.

Detective Inspector Jimmy Rotheram said: “Thankfully no one was hurt while the offenders targeted the cash machine, and nothing was stolen. Business thefts are not victimless crime and small businesses provide an important service for the community.

"Crime such as this is a massive inconvenience to residents who depend on their local shops. I urge any witnesses who saw suspicious activity around Gentwood Parade and Kingwood Road just before midday or any drivers that may have captured dashcam footage then please get in touch so we can bring them to justice.”

Please contact their social media desk on Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ with reference 23000515646 or call 101. You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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