Hungry caller overheard armed robbery at Chinese takeaway

Oct 26 2012 by Chris Clements, Paisley Daily Express

Police raced to a Chinese takeaway after being alerted by a customer who had phoned in with an order ... and then overheard an armed robbery taking place.

The caller was ordering a meal from the Capital fast food shop in Causeyside Street, Paisley, when a thug who was armed with a hammer walked in.

And he was stunned to hear the thief threatening a member of staff and telling her to hand over cash.

The hungry witness then hung up the phone and rang the police to tell them what was happening.

Officers were at the scene within minutes but the robber had already escaped with around £200 from the till.

Last night, one source told the Paisley Daily Express: “The guy had only called to order some food but he got more than he bargained for.

“He must have been shocked when he overheard the robber ordering staff to hand over the takings but he did the right thing by hanging up and then calling the police.”

The robbery took place at around 9.20pm on Wednesday.

No-one was hurt but a 44-year-old woman who was working in the shop at the time was left badly shaken.

Chief Inspector Nicola Burns, of Paisley Police Office, said: “At around 9.20pm on Wednesday, a man entered the Capital Chinese takeaway and threatened a female, who was on the phone at the time, within the shop.

“He brandished a hammer and demanded money, eventually making off with a three-figure sum of cash.

“I would urge anyone who saw someone acting suspiciously or hanging around outside the shop shortly before the robbery took place to contact us.

“Also, anyone who knows who was responsible for the robbery should get in touch with the police or Crimestoppers.”

Detectives are not linking this latest incident to a number of other robberies carried out in the Paisley area over the last month or so. Armed raids have taken place at three Paisley bookmakers and a grocery store in Johnstone was also hit.

Chief Inspector Burns added: “I would like to reassure members of the public that the number of robberies is certainly lower this year than it was in the previous year.

“We have already carried out a number of visits to premises across Paisley to offer advice and discuss crime prevention and we’re working closely with a number of partner agencies and local licence holders.

“If store owners require additional advice, they should contact us and we’ll arrange that for them.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Paisley CID on 0141 532 5900 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.