Costa Coffee worker tied up in robbery ordeal

The staff member was accosted by the man as the coffee outlet at Rushmere Shopping Centre was preparing to open for trade on Monday morning around 7am.

The robber knocked on the door and informed the woman that he had left his mobile in the store and wanted to reclaim it. As the Costa employee opened the door, he then forced his way in, grabbed her before tying her up and stealing the keys to the store’s safe.

He emptied the safe’s contents into a rucksack before fleeing the scene in the direction of Matalan.

Store Manager, Gemma White described to the ‘MAIL’ how the staff member escaped. “The robber had tied both her arms and legs but the legs were less tightly secured. She was tied up for 20 minutes when she managed to break free.

“She ran to the security hut in the mall and told the security guards what had happened.”

The manager added that although the employee had been “shaken up” by the ordeal, she was expected to return to work this weekend. “Nothing like this has ever happened before,” she continued.

The robber is described as tall, of slight build and was wearing light jeans, dark hat, and a jacket possibly with a north face logo on rear shoulder.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact detectives at Lurgan on 0845 600 8000.

Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.