Fingerprint appeal to shoppers after robbery

Detectives have already arrested and charged a 34-year-old Leeds man in connection with the robbery at the Nisa store in Scholes but are asking people who were in the store and bought goods on the morning of Sunday, February 6, to come forward and help them identify the cash which they recovered during the inquiry and which they believe may have been taken during the robbery.

They are asking locals, who were in the Station Road branch of Nisa on February 6 before the robbery at 11am, to get in touch and volunteer to have their fingerprints taken.

These will then be compared to those found on the recovered cash to see if any link can be established between the cash found by police and that taken in the robbery.

Speaking about the unusual appeal, Det Insp Paul Conroy from North East Leeds CID, said: “While requests like this are rare local people could play a pivotal part in this investigation and I would ask anyone who remembers buying something in the store on that Sunday morning to get in touch.

“People’s help could make a significant difference to this investigation and I would encourage people to come forward.”

Any fingerprints given on a voluntary basis are destroyed after being checked against the cash recovered as part of the investigation.

Police had been called to the store on February 6 following reports that a man had threatened staff with a firearm before fleeing with cash he had taken from the till.

Later the same day a man was arrested near to the A64 in the Swarcliffe area of Leeds.

He has since appeared at court charged with armed robbery, possession of an imitation firearm and a number of motor vehicle theft and driving offences.

Any volunteers should contact DC Clive Newman at Stainbeck CID via: 0845 60 60 606.