[04 AUG 00] CRIMES, FIRES & ACCIDENTS
Batons Used In Coventry Store Raid

A female member of staff was grabbed around the throat by armed raiders at a Coventry supermarket today.

The woman was attacked when two men went into Kwiksave in Winsford Avenue, Allesley at 11am brandishing wooden baton.

One of the men used his baton to smash the glass of an office window.

The raiders forced their way into an office and stole cash bags.

A police spokeswoman said the exact mount of money stolen was not yet known.

One of the attackers was black and about 6ft. His accomplice was shorter and possibly of mixed race.

Once they had seized the money the men left the store and got into a waiting car.

Police are anxious to trace the Ford Cougar, registration W739PFT, which is believed to have been stolen from Solihull.

The car left the area and was driven by a third man towards Allesley Old Road.

The member of staff was not physically injured, but was said to be very upset about the incident.