A ROBBER wearing a knitted elephant mask held a large kitchen knife inches from a shop assistant’s chest before cycling away with hundreds of pounds in cash.
Daniel, an assistant at wine shop Eynsham Cellars in Mill Street, was busy sweeping the floor on Saturday evening when the “upsetting” incident took place.
The 34-year-old, who asked for his surname not to be revealed, said: “It was getting near to closing and I had my back to the front door. “Suddenly there was a tap on my shoulder and I turned around and there was what seemed to be a man in front of me.
“He had a large kitchen knife, about eight inches long, a couple of inches from my chest.
“I backed away quicker than I think I’ve ever backed away from anything. He told me to open the till and give him all the money in there.”
Thames Valley Police is appealing for information about the robbery at the Mill Street business, which happened at 9.42pm.
The robber, who was wearing a knitted green elephant mask with a pink trunk, snatched the notes from the till and raced off on his bike in the direction of John Lopes Road.
He was described as being six foot two inches tall, medium or slim build and white.
Co-owner of Eynsham Cellars, Oli Gauntlett (pictured above), said he was working with officers to track down the culprit.
He said: “A chap came in with a full mask. It was an elephant mask, which was very weird. It all happened very fast.
“He took a couple of hundred pounds. This is obviously something we are very careful with now, we try not to keep too much money in the till.”
Daniel, who has been working at the off licence for nearly three years, said it was “unsettling” to see the man wearing such a creepy mask.
He said: “It was a little bit disorientating. I guess that’s the design. I’ve seen movies where there are heists and things where people wear clown masks – it can be unsettling.
“In some ways a balaclava is less intimidating. “He had slashed two holes in the front for eyes.”
As well as the mask, the robber was wearing a thick black coat with the hood up, skiing gloves, grey jogging bottoms and white high-top trainers with red stripes.
Anyone with information about the incident can call the 24-hour police enquiry centre on 101.
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