ARMED robbers escaped with thousands of pounds after holding up a betting shop.
Two masked men, one armed with a handgun, burst into the bookmakers in Whiteleas Way, South Shields, South Tyneside, at about 9.20pm on Monday.
They threatened the cashier before taking money from the safe and leaving in a red car towards John Reid Street.
Detectives are also hunting for two men who attacked a restaurant worker and stole the takings.
The attack happened at about 12.30pm on Monday, as the 33-year-old man made his way towards St Nicholas Street, Newcastle, to deposit the weekend takings at the bank.
The first robber was white, aged 18 to 20, 6ft, stocky, with short dark hair. He was wearing a checked top and blue tracksuit bottoms.
The second was white, 18 or 19, slightly smaller and thinner, with short dark hair. He was wearing a blue jacket.
Anyone with information is asked contact South Tyneside CID on 0191-454 7555 about the bookmakers robbery, or Newcastle CID on 0191-214 6555 about the restaurant attack.
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