Saturday, February 8, 2025
regency radio sussex news
Click here to listen to Regency Radio The Number One Advert Free Radio Station in Sussex

Crawley Shop Robber Jailed for 32 Months After Knife-Point Robbery

A man has been sentenced to 32 months in prison following a knife-point robbery at a shop in Crawley Ifield Drive . Craig Baker, 43, entered the Co-Op in possession of a 10-inch kitchen knife and demanded cash from a member of staff behind the counter. When she refused, Baker hit another member of staff who had tried to intervene, before stealing two bottles of vodka and threatening a customer as he left the store.

Armed police units responded to the incident on 13 November last year and recovered fingerprints from the till area. The prints matched those belonging to Baker, who was subsequently arrested and charged with two counts of robbery, possession of a knife in public, and threatening a person with a knife in public.

In police interview, Baker confessed to the crimes, stating, “I didn’t mean to do anything naughty… You guys have done the right thing getting me off the streets.”

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Catherine Richardson, said: “Baker committed these offences whilst brandishing a large kitchen knife, causing a number of people including staff and customers to fear for their lives.

“Thanks to the swift actions of the staff, who activated the store alarm, we were able to quickly respond to the scene and ensure no one had been seriously hurt.

“Forensics investigators took prints from the store, which led to the identification and arrest of Baker within 24 hours.

“This case demonstrates that our officers are on hand to respond to reports of threats and violence, including knife crime, as we strive to keep communities safe and bring offenders to justice.”

More Sussex News

Sussex News Pages

sussex news logo
Click here to listen to Regency Radio

Sussex Coast News