THREE robberies are being linked by police who are keen to trace a man as the main suspect.
The most recent took place yesterday with two others happening on Saturday and on September 6, all around 4pm.
Yesterday at 4.15pm police were called to the general stores in Elm Grove, Horsham, where a man holding a hammer demanded money. He hit the till several times and took money from the counter before leaving the shop and running up an alley opposite Eversfield Road.
At about 4.20pm on Saturday, September 19, as earlier reported, a man entered the Warnham Villiage Store in Warnham, near Horsham.
He brandished a knife and demanded money from the shop assistant but other staff heard the threats and came to assist. The man ran out of the shop empty-handed, turning right into Church Street.
On September 6, a man came into the Caterways store on Merryfield Drive, Horsham, at around 3.45pm and demanded cash while holding a hammer. The shop worker handed over about £200 and he left in the direction of Greenway.
Detective Sergeant Jon Robeson said: "We are now linking these three robberies due to the similar actions and description of the suspect, the locations and the similarities in times. The man is described as wearing tights over his face on all three occasions. He is also thought to be white and in his late 20s or 30s.
"In the CCTV image he is wearing a distinctive blue hoodie and we are keen to hear from anyone who might have seen a man acting suspiciously in the area of any of these stores or if you recognise this man."
Contact police on 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting Operation Switch.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here