[27 JUL 00] CRIMES, FIRES & ACCIDENTS
Gun Threat In Warwick Pub Raid

Drinkers and staff were told to get on the floor by two men brandishing a brick and a sawn-off shotgun.

The pair stormed in to the Warwick pub, wearing combat gear, and fled with cash from the till.

A police spokesman said:

“One had a sawn off shotgun and the other had a large brick. One man pointed the gun at around 12 people who were in the pub and demanded they got on the floor.

“The other man ordered the staff to open the till and took an amount of cash from the till before they made off.

“Clearly this has been very frightening for everyone involved and police would like to hear from anyone who knows anything about this incident.”

The armed robbery took place in the Avon Tavern, Pickard Street, about 10.40pm last night.

The men were described as white and in their early 20s, both wearing black and white combat trousers, gloves and balaclavas.

One was said to be 6ft tall and slim – his accomplice was 5ft 6in, stocky with a black bomber or fleece-type top and spoke with an Irish accent.

It is thought they left on foot towards the Emscote Road, but there is a possible link with a red or blue Orion car seen nearby.

Anyone with information should call DS Burford at Warwick CID on 01926 415000.

UPDATE [30 JUL 00]

Four people in their 20s were arrested at a house in Leamington by Warwickshire police on Friday, and are due to be interviewed.