Appeal to check gardens for pub heist bid weapons

Apr 2 2008 by David James, South Wales Echo

WOULD-BE armed robbers are believed to have thrown away a large air rifle and an eight-inch kitchen knife into city gardens.

They used the weapons in an attempted heist at the Flora pub in Cathays Terrace, Cardiff, on Monday night.

Police officers are appealing for people living near the pub to check their gardens because they believe the pair may have thrown the weapons away as they tried to escape.

Gloves and a cream or beige coloured top may also have been thrown away.

A 21-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy have been arrested following the attempted robbery but officers are still appealing for more information.

A 23-year-old bar supervisor was the only person on duty at the Flora pub on Monday when two armed men knocked at the door and burst in.

The pair demanded money but ran off when the supervisor told them the tills had been sealed.

Detective Sergeant Stuart Wales said: “We think the suspects may have disposed of these items in a garden or bin in the Australia Road, Canada Road, New Zealand Road or Africa Gardens area.

“We are asking people who live in these roads to check their gardens and bins.”

He urged anyone who finds the weapons not to touch them as they could be dangerous.

He said: “We would ask anyone who finds the weapons not to disturb them but to give us a ring and we will come and collect them.”

He said no-one was hurt in the incident and that officers were studying CCTV from the area. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Cathays CID on 029 2022 2111 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

david.james@mediawales.co.uk