Man admits robbery in Blackburn (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Man admits robbery in Blackburn

5:00pm Saturday 28th July 2012 in News

A MAN who out ran police after holding up a Blackburn supermarket has pleaded guilty to robbery.

Balaclava-clad Reece Fleming, 31, of Thirlmere Drive, Middleton entered the Co-op, in Whalley New Road, Blackburn on May 3, this year with an unknown accomplice.

Officers are still hunting the second man involved in the robbery.

Police said more than £4,500 worth of cigarettes, alcohol and cash was stolen in the raid.

The closing time robbery, was followed by a dramatic police chase in the Intack area of Blackburn after the men drove the wrong way around a roundabout.

The police caught up with the pair, after travelling the correct way around Whitebirk roundabout and chased the thieves on foot across gardens but the robbers eluded them.

The getaway car, which had been stolen in Manchester, was then found abandoned in Monmouth Road, Intack.

During a search of the surrounding area, officers discovered a laundry bag in nearby Hereford Road believed to have been used by the robbers to carry out stolen cigarettes.

The men had swooped on the supermarket as staff were cashing up around 9.50pm.

A female shop assistant and the male manager, in the store, were unhurt in the attack, but were ‘badly shaken’ by the incident.

Appearing by videolink from Liverpool prison at Preston Crown Court yesterday, Fleming pleaded guilty to robbery.

Judge Christopher Cornwall refused him bail remanding him in custody.

He will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on August 28.