AN Armed gang is believed to have stolen thousands of pounds in clothes and cash in two raids on Tyneside.
Staff members were slightly hurt in each incicent.
Two men, armed with a hammer and a crook lock, burst into the Bike Place, at Gateshead's MetroCentre, at 7.45pm, on Friday, and threatened staff.
The men stole £3,000 in clothing including eight earth and grey coloured Polaris X-terrain fleece tops, nine beige/black and red/black Polaris Switchback tops and 19 Pearl Izumi tops in assorted styles.
They fled in a stolen white Ford Escort, registration K412 TFE, driven by a third man.
The car, taken from Dinnington, near Newcastle, was found abandoned shortly afterwards, in Tundry Way, Blaydon.
The gang drove from there in a black Nissan Bluebird, registration F551 HNL.
This car, stolen from the Tesco store at Kingston Park, Newcastle, was again used as the getaway vehicle in a robbery on a Tyneside factory, at 5.45pm, on Sunday. Two men, armed with a handgun and iron bar, stole cash.
The Nissan was found abandoned at the back of Ridley Gardens, Swalwell, Gateshead.
Anyone with information is asked to call Gateshead West CID on 0191-454 7555.
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