Crouch End shopkeeper thought knifepoint robbery was a ‘joke’

Police wish to speak to this man in relation to the robbery.

by Tim Lamden Thursday, August 30, 2012
2:45 PM

A frightened shopkeeper initially believed a robbery at his Crouch End store was a joke, before the thief pulled out a kitchen knife and made off with £100 cash.

Police have issued an image of the suspect captured from CCTV inside Londis, in Weston Park, in the hope of catching the young male.

At around 5.30pm on July 16, the suspect entered the store and waited for the shop to empty of customers before approaching the till.

Unusually, store owner Jaswant Gosal, 55, was looking after the shop on his own at the time, which normally has two members of staff on duty at all times.

He said: “The man waited for the customers to go and then he came up to the till with two Kit Kat chocolate bars. I asked for the money and he said ‘I want money from the till’ - I thought maybe he was joking.

“I looked at him and he said ‘I’m not joking’ and then pulled out a kitchen knife. I just backed away from the till, opened it up and he took about £100 cash and his chocolate bars.”

The suspect then walked out of the store and ran down Mayfield Road and into Stationers Park.

He was wearing a black jacket with a white Umbro logo on the back.

Mr Gosal added: “I’ve got to look every time a person comes into the store now, I’ve got a stick behind the till so at least I can try to defend myself.”

Anyone with information or that recognises the man pictured is asked to contact Det Con Steve Mence of Haringey CID on 020 8345 0871. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.