A Halloween robber struck in Colchester, wearing a sinister "old man mask" and wielding two weapons.
The man went into the post office in Winnock Road, New Town at 7.25am today, holding a baton in one hand and a carving knife with an 8in blade in the other.
He told sub-postmistress Vinitha Kumar to hand over cash, then tried to take it from the till.
But her husband Thiru came downstairs and the robber lost his nerve and ran off.
Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward to aid the hunt for the raider, who was wearing the mask as he went into the post office but removed it as he fled.
The robber has been described as white, about 20 years old, 5ft 6ins tall and slim. He was wearing black trousers and a long-sleeved black top.
Anyone with information is asked to call Colchester police on 01206 762212.
Published Thursday October 31, 2002
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