Axe-wielding robber terrorised shop staff and customers before he was caught

A man armed himself with a sledgehammer, an axe and crowbar to carry out a series of violent robberies that left victims fearing for their lives.

Dylan Rawlinson, 24, of North Avenue, Leigh, was part of a masked gang that committed the robberies between November 2020 and June 2021.

The first happened at McColls Convenience Store in Hindley on November 19 2020, just seconds after the store opened for the day. Armed with a sledgehammer and wooden pole, Rawlinson, along with with two other men, forced a member of staff to open the safe, and raided the tills and cigarette counter.

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Rawlinson struck again on the morning of December 6 2020 at the One Stop shop on Chestnut Avenue in Leigh. Witnesses described three men entering the shop, masking their faces behind balaclavas. The men brandished a sledgehammer and a wooden-handled axe.

Unable to breach the safe due to it being on a timed lock, the shop’s tills and cigarette display were targeted. One of the men used an axe to attack a witness. Rawlinson, together with the two other men, who were not thought to be the same as those at the previous robbery, made their escape six minutes later.

Rawlinson's downfall came during an armed robbery at the Co-op on Haigh Road, Aspull on June 29 2021. Witnesses described seeing three men parking their vehicle in the car park of the store before entering and forcing a member of staff to open the safe.

Armed with a sledgehammer and crowbar, the men also removed cigarettes from behind the counter and forced their way into the tills.

Police recovered the getaway vehicle on Abbey Lane in Leigh shortly after the robbery and pursued the men on foot onto nearby wasteland. Rawlinson was caught as he tried to escape over a fence and arrested on suspicion of robbery.

Rawlinson pleaded guilty to the three robberies and was jailed last week for nine years and three months.

DC Matt Higham of Greater Manchester Police said: “This was a complex investigation which resulted in a sentence that reflects the level of aggression and violence Rawlinson used when carrying out these robberies.

“Innocent shop workers feared for their lives when these men turned up at their places of business and forced them to hand over money, cigarettes and other valuable products.

“Everyone has the right to go about their day in a peaceful, non-violent way and getting these two men off the streets is a great result for GMP.

“We urge anyone who is concerned there is criminal activity taking place in their communities to get in contact with us and report it.

This can be done by dialling 101, using the Live Chat function on our website www.gmp.police.uk or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always dial 999.

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