Published: Thursday, 8th November, 2007 09:30
Post office cash snatch
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POLICE are searching for a sneak thief who stole from unsuspecting staff at Tranent Spar and Post Office – the second robbery at the Civic Square store in four months.
The latest theft at the post office took place last Friday at 1.35pm.
A man, described as an “opportunist thief” by police, entered the staffroom, at the back of the store, and took a three-figure sum of money from one shop assistant’s hand bag and a Nokia mobile phone from another.
A police spokesman said: “This man was seen as he left the staffroom and was challenged by staff, when he made the excuse that he was looking for the toilet.”
Post office staff discovered they had been robbed after the man had left the building and alerted police immediately.
The thief is described as late-20s to early 30s, white, tall – between 5ft 7in and 5ft 10in – and of skinny build. He has a pale and spotty complexion and gelled short dark hair. At the time of the incident he was wearing a knee length brown coat, possibly leather, stripey top, dark trousers and white trainers.
This latest theft follows an armed raid at the post office on July 24 when an undisclosed sum of money was stolen from a Royal Mail van parked outside.
Two men wearing balaclavas targeted the van at 9.10am – one brandishing a knife at the cash-in-transit driver while the other stole a package believed to have contained money.
A London teenager later appeared at Haddington Sheriff Court in relation to the incident.
Anyone with information regarding last Friday’s theft can contact Tranent Police Station on 01875 610333.
Post office staff declined to comment on the incident.
Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council chairman Raymond Strang told the Courier: “It is very sad and we’re very disappointed to hear that post office staff have had to suffer a second robbery in such a short space of time.
“I think it’s important given the circumstances that other local businesses in the Civic Square area stay on their guard and remain vigilant, particularly now that the dark nights are upon us.”
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