Cops hunt Paisley's daftest robber

Oct 25 2012 by Chris Clements, Paisley Daily Express

Cops were yesterday hunting Paisley’s daftest thief after he threatened to ‘Taser’ staff at a town centre bookmakers...with a screwdriver.

The blundering robber burst into the Ladbrokes shop, in Wellmeadow Street, and ordered a member of staff to hand over the takings.

He then held out a weapon, claimed it was a Taser gun – which can deliver a powerful electric shock – and threatened to zap her with it.

However, the thief’s hopes of hitting the jackpot were scuppered in bizarre fashion when the 48-year-old woman behind the counter calmly pointed out that the weapon was, in fact, a screwdriver.

In desperation, he then grabbed a charity tin – containing a small amount of cash – and fled the scene.

One source told the Paisley Daily Express: “It’s fair to say this guy wouldn’t win any awards for being the most effective robber out there.”

Detectives carried out door-to-door inquiries in the Wellmeadow Street area following the robbery, which took place shortly after 9.30pm on Monday.

They have also been studying footage from nearby CCTV cameras in a bid to trace the suspect’s movements.

It’s understood a 43-year-old customer was also in the bookies at the time but no-one was hurt.

The robber is described as in his 30s, of medium build and had a scruffy appearance.

He was wearing a dark grey or blue hooded top and light blue jeans.

This is the third time in just over a month that a robbery has taken place at a bookmakers in Paisley but it’s understood detectives aren’t linking the latest incident to armed raids at the Betfred shop in Moss Street on September 14 or the William Hill branch in Old Sneddon Street on October 15.

A police spokeswoman said: “At around 9.35pm on Monday, a man entered Ladbrokes, in Wellmeadow Street, and threatened a 48-year-old female member of staff before making off with a charity tin in the direction of Castle Street.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 0141 532 5900.