Gun raiders 'could be linked to ambushes'

Masked men burst into Amba's Stores in Scholemoor Lane, Scholemoor, and fired a shot at shelving before threatening the terrified owner at 8.35pm yesterday.

One jumped over the counter and grabbed the cash till while the man carrying a sawn-off shotgun told the 52-year-old shopkeeper to lay on the floor and hand over his two gold rings.

Today detectives investigating the robbery were speaking to colleagues who are trying to trace men who shot a Bradford restaurateur in the foot and stole cash.

And there are also similarities with a hold up in Great Horton where cash was stolen. In all three attacks the robbers have jumped into a waiting silver Vauxhall Vectra.

A police spokesman said: "Police investigating this offence are also speaking to detectives investigating the robbery at Baildon to see if there are links."

The owner of Amba's Stores, who would not be named, was today still shaken by his ordeal.

He said: "One jumped over the counter and the other pulled the gun out and fired a shot. It missed me and hit the shelves, he just said lie down.

"He saw the rings on my fingers and told me to take them off and give them to him and the other one pulled the till off the counter and then ran out to a car."

The Vectra was parked at the junction with Ashton Avenue and sped off down Springfield Avenue.

Nobody was injured by the shot, which hit a display full of bottled beer and alcopops. Police are appealing for witnesses.

The first robber is described as Asian, about 25, 5ft 6ins tall, stocky and was wearing a black woollen scarf covering his nose and mouth. He had black, straight hair in a curtain-style and a dark jacket and trousers.

The second man was Asian, about 23, 5ft 8ins tall, medium build, and was wearing a black woollen balaclava mask, a dark jumper and dark trousers.

Anyone with information should call Bradford North CID on (01274) 376086 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.