THE same men who robbed a bookies in Burnley are believed to have targeted a shop just minutes later, police have revealed.

Detectives launched an investigation after a raider dressed in a hoodie and balaclava threatened staff at Coral, in Hammerton Street, with a machete at around 8.30pm last Tuesday.

 

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He escaped with over £300 and fled on a BMX bike alongside two accomplices, police said.

An hour later, three men, again hooded, masked and waving a machete, walked into Top Shop Premier in Barden Lane.

They threatened a male worker, who handed over £570.

Two of the raiders then fled on foot, while the other escaped on a bike, said police, who are treating the two robberies as linked.

DC Jon Penson, of Burnley CID, said: "This was a terrifying ordeal for all of the shop assistants involved and we do believe that the two robberies involved the same offenders.

"I am keen for anyone who may have seen those pictured in the CCTV images in the area last Tuesday evening or anyone acting suspiciously, to come forward and tell us what they saw.

"Any information you have could help us with our on-going enquiries.” 

Two teenagers, aged 14 and 17, and a 19-year-old man, all from Burnley, were arrested in connection with the robberies.

They were released on bail until Wednesday, July 29.