Mum tells of armed robbery hell in Wallasey greengrocers

Dec 29 2010 by John Sutton, Birkenhead News

Mum tells of armed robbery hell in wallasey greengrocers

A GREENGROCER told how she froze with terror as a masked robber waved a handgun in her face and demanded cash.

Mum-of-one Carrie Cooper was working her normal shift at P. Walker’s fruit and veg shop in Wallasey Village, when the terrifying incident took place.

The 30-year-old told the News: “I was in the shop and it was quiet, which is unusual. Normally we’re busy at this time of year.

“Then this lad just barged in and waved a gun at me and shouted at me to open the till.

“I didn’t do anything. I just stood there, so he shouted again.”

Carrie told the robber she wouldn’t open the till, so he thumped it, stuffed the day’s takings of around £120 into his pocket and ran off.

She wasn’t injured and admits at the time, she was so stunned she gave little thought to the damage a desperate thug could inflict when armed with a dangerous weapon.

Speaking from her home in Wirral, which she shares with parents Veronica and William and seven-year-old daughter Molly, Carrie said she didn’t want to just hand the cash over.

Carrie, who has worked part-time at the greengrocers for the past 14 months, said: “People have asked me why I didn’t just let him take the money, but I wasn’t just going to give it to him.”