| Despite the incident taking place in busy Commercial Street — at the Cheque Centre — on Wednesday afternoon, police confirmed today they have received little feedback from people who may have been in the area at the time.
Detectives now believe the raider entered the Forum Shopping Centre as he fled.
Detective Inspector Willie Semple said, “We would like to speak to anyone who was in the Commercial Street area between 4pm and 4.30pm, which covers the time before and after the incident.
“The area around the shop is a real hub — there is a bus stop right outside and others on either side, and there is a steady stream of buses servicing them.
“There will have been people going around the shops or heading home from work, and it is important that they make themselves known to us.
“Even if they think they have not seen anything, we would like to speak to them as they may have information which links into our inquiries.”
The drama began at around 4.20pm when the lone man pointed what is described as a “small gun” at staff of the cheque cashing outlet.
He demanded money, but left empty-handed minutes later.
The staff were said to be shaken, but uninjured.
The raider is in his mid 30s to early 40s, about 5ft 10in, of slim build with sharp features. He has dark eyes, short dark receding hair and was unshaven.
He was wearing a light-coloured zipped-up jacket with writing on the left breast, denim jeans and dark shoes.
It’s possible he has a local accent.
It’s understood he went into the Forum Shopping Centre immediately after the incident and was seen elsewhere in the city centre soon after.
Given that the shopping centre was busy, police are asking anyone who was there at the time to contact them.
Door-to-door inquiries have been undertaken in Commercial Street, while hours of CCTV footage are continuing to be scanned.
Wednesday’s raid is the second involving a firearm at a Dundee shop in less than three weeks — an off-licence in Hilltown was targeted on May 18.
A man threatened the male member of staff with a handgun before making off with a three-figure sum of money.
Detectives reiterated today they are not treating the two incidents as linked.
Anyone with information regarding the Commercial Street incident is asked to contact Tayside Police on Dundee 223200 or speak to any officer. |
