[29 SEP 00] CRIMES, FIRES & ACCIDENTS
Baseball Bat Robbers Escape With Champagne

Three men threatened staff at a Coventry off-licence with a baseball bat, and fled with Champagne, cigarettes and cash.

The trio called at Victoria Wines, in Bromleigh Drive, Stoke, about 10pm last night.

A West Midlands police spokeswoman said:

“Three men wearing hooded jackets, one with a balaclava, went into the shop.

"One slammed a baseball bat on to the counter and asked the 48-year-old women serving in the shop and her colleague for money and cigarettes.

“They stole two bottles of Champagne, about 80 packets of cigarettes and £130 in cash. 

"No one was injured but two members of staff were shaken.”

They robbers were described as:

• White, aged 19 or 20, 5ft 2in to 4ins, stocky with a dark anorak and hood

• Black, aged 19 or 20, 5ft 9in or 10ins, with a slim build and a dark hooded anorak

• White, aged 19 or 20, 5 ft 7in or 8in, with a black puffa jacket, dark trousers and a black balaclava

All three had local accents. Anyone with information should call Chace Avenue Police Station on 024 7653 9040 or CrimeStoppers on 0800 55511.