Another Appeal After £20k Restaurant Theft

Police in Southampton are renewing their appeal for information in connection with an armed robbery at the Banana Wharf restaurant in Ocean Village on Monday, April 9.

In particular they want to trace the owner or driver of a white Range Rover Sport 4x4 vehicle that was seen on Channel Way at approximately 11.20pm to rule it out of the investigation.

Most staff had left the Banana Wharf restaurant and as one of the last members of staff left the building by the rear fire exit she was confronted by four balaclava clad men. 

They pushed her back in and held her in the kitchen area.

Three of the men, who all wore dark clothing, then went up the stairs and confronted the 28-year-old assistant manager and told him to open the safe. 

He was punched and kicked by the men and one of them threatened him with a knife.

Fearing for his safety he opened the safe and the men took around £20,000 in cash.

They then left the restaurant back through the fire exit and are thought to have escaped in a vehicle.
 
They are also appealing to anyone who was in the vicinity of Channel Way near Endeavour Court and Alcantara Crescent any time between 10.30 and 11.30pm that evening, especially if they saw or heard anything, no matter how insignificant it may appear, to contact them. 
 
The driver or owner of the range Rover or anyone with information is asked to call the Operation Lantern team at Shirley CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.