Armed Gateshead robber brought to justice
An armed robber who terrified staff working on a shopping centre stall has been brought to justice – thanks to a taxi driver, security staff and members of the public who detained him at the scene.
Anthony Potts, 34, was sentenced to more than three years behind bars after he threatened a stall holder in Washington as part of an early morning crime-spree earlier this year.
Newcastle Crown Court was told how the thief entered The Galleries at around 9.30am on Wednesday, March 9 before approaching staff working on a mobile phone stall.
The offender has then pulled out a hammer and swung it onto the till, putting a hole in the top of it and smashing it onto the ground. This has caused the stallholder to jump back in shock while the robber shouted demands for cash.
Feeling threatened, the stall holder has picked up notes which had fallen to the ground from the damaged till and handed them over to the offender.
Potts has then walked off with the money and started to approach shoppers minutes later, asking for their car keys.
Becoming agitated in an exchange with one couple, he has moved the hammer to his right hand but was told to "jog on" by the man.
Potts has then left the centre and got in the driver's seat of a taxi as the driver helped an elderly customer. He threw the cash he had stolen in the air and refused to get out.
The taxi driver was not deterred by Potts, and eventually succeeded in pulling him out, although Potts snapped his car key fob in the struggle. He was then detained by the driver, members of the public and security staff until police arrived and arrested him at the scene.
Potts, of Wellcroft Court, Leam Lane, Gateshead, later admitted robbery, attempted robbery and possessing an offensive weapon. A judge subsequently sentenced him to 45 months imprisonment at the same court.
Detective Sergeant Kimberley Wright, of Northumbria Police, has condemned Potts’ actions and praised those who helped to detain him at the scene.
He said: “We are really pleased to have been able to put Anthony Potts before the courts – there is simply no excuse for his behaviour.
“It must have been a shocking ordeal for everyone involved especially the stall holder, who remained calm despite the offender’s despicable and threatening actions.
“Fortunately, after Potts fled the scene, thanks to the bravery and determination of a taxi driver, security staff and members of the public, it wasn’t long until Potts found himself in handcuffs.
“I would like to thank everyone involved in bringing Potts to justice. We will continue to do all we can to tackle perpetrators like this and ensure the North East remains as safe a place as it possibly can be to live, work and visit.”