Booty's staff tied up by robbers in marathon raid

By Rob Virtue on April 17, 2008 9:00 AM |

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ARMED robbers tied up and threatened staff at Booty’s Riverside Bar before stealing the takings from marathon day.

The two men made off with £5,000 in the incident on Sunday night (April 13) immediately after closing time.

Det Con Dean Musgrove from Tower Hamlets police said: “Although nobody was injured, the staff were threatened. This bar has a good reputation and is not known for trouble. This has left the manager traumatised.”

The bar in Narrow Street closed at about 8-8.30pm. After all the customers had left a man wearing a balaclava walked in brandishing a knife with a 10-inch blade. He was with another masked man.

Police believe the robbers may have known the manager as they called him by his name while ordering him to hand over the takings. The four members of staff on duty were handcuffed using plastic cables.

The robbers then searched the premises and made off with the cash. After they had gone, staff managed to free themselves and raise the alarm.

The robbers were described as both being about 5ft 7ins and slim build. It is believed that one was white and the other black, but they were both heavily masked and wearing gloves.

“We want to appeal to residents for information,” said DC Musgrove. “It was a very busy day and people may have come home that way. Maybe they saw people in a vehicle or standing around at about that time.”

If you have any information call DC Musgrove on 020 8217 4162 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

rob.virtue@wharf.co.uk