Police are appealing for witnesses following an attempted robbery within a shop in the east of the city.
At around 6:55am on Saturday, a member of staff at the A1 Store in Magdalene Drive was preparing to open when a male suspect entered.
He demanded that the shopkeeper hand over money however the man refused and threw a bundle of newspapers at him before pressing the store’s panic button. He then grabbed a nearby pole forcing the attacker to flee on foot empty handed.
The suspect was last seen running along Magdalene Drive and turning right onto Magdalene Loan before being lost from sight.
Officers at Gayfield CID are now carrying out inquiries into this matter and want to hear from anyone who can help identify the would-be thief.
He is described as white, approximately 20-years-old, between 5ft 10ins and 6ft tall, slim build and spoke with a local accent. At the time of the attack he wore a dark or grey coloured hooded top, possibly a balaclava and either dark trousers or jeans.
Detective Sergeant Mark Lumsden of Gayfield CID said: “This was a very serious attack that caused a great deal of alarm to the victim and we are pursuing various lines of inquiry in an effort to trace the suspect as quickly as possible.
“The shop itself is situated on a built up residential area and I’m hopeful that someone may have heard the suspect shouting or saw him in the area.
“Violent attacks are completely unacceptable and we will do everything we can to ensure this individual is swiftly arrested and brought before the courts.
“I would urge anyone who recognises his description to get in touch with police immediately on 101. Alternatively information can be passed anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
