Strawberry haul for PO gunmen (From This Is Lancashire)

Strawberry haul for PO gunmen

9:28am Wednesday 19th July 2006 in

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TWO bungling robbers escaped with a bag of strawberries instead of cash after a mix-up during an armed raid.

The men armed with a pistol held up a terrified postmistress armed and demanded money.

The woman filled a bag with notes but the thieves were distracted and snatched the wrong bag, which was filled with fruit.

They fled from the Post Office in Edenfield, near Bury, but realised their mistake and dropped the strawberries.

The robbers sped off in a black Hyundai Coupe.

The men are then thought to have headed for a white van waiting on the northbound carriageway of the Edenfield bypass.

The Hyundai was found abandoned nearby.

The two men who entered the Post Office at 9am last Thursday were described as being white, one of stocky build and one of thin build, wearing work-style fluorescent high-visibility vests.

A police spokeswoman said: "During the robbery, two men armed with what is believed to be a handgun, threatened staff and customers before helping themselves to a bag of money.

"Prior to them leaving however, the bag of money was confused with a bag of strawberries and taken by mistake."

Detective Sergeant Charlie Haynes said: "We are treating this case, as we do all offences of this nature, extremely seriously.

"Although these criminals have failed to get away with the money, they have been armed and the episode has left those involved distressed and scared.

"I would appeal for anybody who may have witnessed this offence, or have information regarding it, to contact either myself or Crimestoppers."