Lidl robber ‘pours petrol on supermarket worker’ in front of terrified shoppers

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A Lidl employee was doused in petrol by a robber who made off with £500.

The horror incident happened at the store in Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales on Saturday in front of terrified customers. An unnamed man has since been arrested on suspicion of robbery. The 54-year-old remains in police custody while the investigation continues.

A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: "At around 5.15pm on Saturday, December 16 a man entered the store with a fuel container and poured the contents over a member of staff, demanding cash from the till.

READ MORE: Britain's shoplifting epidemic fuelled by crime gangs using kids as young as four

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"Around £500 was stolen. Several items have been recovered for forensic examination."

Further updates from other members of the force followed, confirming the "extremely frightening" incident had occurred in full view of members of the public, the Daily Mail reported.

Detective Sergeant Tony Watts said: "This was an extremely frightening incident for staff and shoppers at the Lidl store. One man has been arrested and an investigation is continuing."

A spokesperson for Lidl said: "The safety and security of our colleagues is an absolute priority, and we were shocked by this terrible incident. Whilst we’re thankful that no colleagues or customers were seriously hurt, we are assisting the police in their investigations and providing our full support to colleagues who were present at the time."

The grim robbery comes just days after the Daily Star reported a shoplifting epidemic across the country, with a surge in thefts confirmed to be costing stores around £1billion a year.

Graham Wynn of the British Retail Consortium said: "The lack of effective police response has left many criminals feeling like they can shoplift with impunity."

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• Lidl
• Crime
• Money

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