Middlesbrough shop staff 'threatened with syringe' in raids
- Published
The first raid happened at Tesco Express in Longlands Road
Shop staff were left "extremely shaken" after being threatened with a syringe of what they feared might be acid or blood in three separate robberies.
The raids, which are being linked by detectives, happened on Friday and Saturday in the Middlesbrough and North Ormesby areas.
Footage of one shows that the suspect may also have been carrying a knife.
A 42-year-old man has been arrested and inquiries are ongoing, Cleveland Police said.
The first raid happened at Tesco Express in Longlands Road on Friday at 20:00 BST, with cash and a number of items taken.
Robberies also took place on Saturday at the One Stop Shop on Kings Road, North Ormesby, at 14:40 BST and at Cooplands Bakery, Norfolk Place, Middlesbrough, at 15:10 BST.
Police said shop staff reported being threatened with a syringe containing what they claimed to be "blood" or "acid". Nobody was injured.
Officers are also linking the raids to a report of a theft of sweets at Annabelle's in North Ormesby at about 14:45 BST.
The man who was arrested has been held on suspicion of three counts of robbery and one of theft.
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