Shopkeeper hits back at robber >video
A WOMAN shopkeeper described how she foiled a robbery when she decided to fight off the would-be thief.
Tracy Major, 39, was serving a man in the shop on Valentine's Day evening when he tried to steal money from the cash drawer as she opened it.
But defiant Tracy, who has owned and run the Anlaby Park Post Office for almost four years, was determined not to let the man get away with any cash.
She held on to the till, refusing to let go and the man, believed to be about 20 years old, lost his grip as another customer helped Tracy in her struggle.
After making an initial retreat, the man began gathering money scattered on the floor, but Tracy grabbed a nearby bar and began striking out at him to deter the attacker.
She then ran around the other side of the counter and chased him out of the shop, leaving him to get away with only a handful of change.
Tracy said: "I wasn't scared at the time. I wasn't thinking about anything apart from making sure he didn't get away with any money.
"There was no way he was coming into my shop and stealing my money, which I had worked hard for.
"It is unnerving when I think about it now, but at the time all I was thinking was not letting someone get away with that."
Tracy's husband Paul, 43, said: "He obviously bit off more than he could chew when he came up against Tracy.
"She was shaken up afterwards and she is still a bit nervy when customers come in but she's not been deterred long-term."
Now the Mail is now publishing CCTV film of the incident in the hope members of the public can help police identify the offender.
The suspect was aged 19 to 20, about 5ft 8in, of medium build with shaven, blond hair. He was wearing a dark baseball hat, a green jacket with several zips and stonewashed jeans.
The incident happened at Anlaby Park Post Office in Anlaby Road, west Hull, between 5.15pm and 5.25pm on Saturday.
Anyone with information should call police on (01482) 578025, quoting case reference 86, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
20 Comments
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by Nick Freely, The Nick
Sunday, December 06 2009, 9:10PM
“Tracey watching the video i am absolutely appalled. With you. how dare you speak on camera about your trauma and heroics when you clearly didnt give the poor young man his change back. We all know who the real robber is tracey.”
by Yvonne, hull
Sunday, March 01 2009, 6:03AM
“good on yer Tracy, top girl. If the thugs caught and tries to prosecute you for assault...tell em your on smack...you'll get off with everything and probably get a holiday thrown in!”
by dee east hull, east hull
Friday, February 20 2009, 3:38PM
“well done tracey I would do just the same if someone did it to me,maybe hit him harder though,power to the people and respect to you love.”
by whats going, on
Thursday, February 19 2009, 10:41PM
“T-Bone, Anlaby
Hi Tracy
your not writing to her you know its a newspaper website for you to comment on the story”
by T-Bone, Anlaby
Thursday, February 19 2009, 9:02PM
“Hi Tracy,
Its great to see what you did today, as Paul said, if more people stood up to inconsiderate idiots such as the thief in connection they would be much less of it about.
These people should be dealt with in the appropriate mannor to help stop this type of theft from happening.
Good luck with your business, and thank god you wasnt hurt in any way.
And again, Good Going!”
by Charles Bronte, Bring back the vigillante
Thursday, February 19 2009, 6:52PM
“Go Tracey, but what was the other two shoppers doing, the old guy looked like a break dancer”
by Lady Muck, Garden Village
Thursday, February 19 2009, 5:03PM
“Where are the bleeding heart Liberals now? 'oh, he had a difficult childhood' etc.
Rubbish. Get and do some work, chav scum individual.
You go, Tracy!!! Fantastic!! What a woman :D”
by John W, hull
Thursday, February 19 2009, 4:14PM
“Well done Tracy just one thing though....You didnt hit him hard enough.”
by Anon, Hull
Thursday, February 19 2009, 3:38PM
“Ex shop keeper. I was accused of a fairly serious offence by a compulsive liar. it was fully investigated, as it should be, because I could have been guilty.
How do you investigate some one without making them feel like a criminal.
the police investigate criminal activities.
In my case the serial liar was also let off
But I do not hold the police to blame, unfortunately know one usually confesses to a crime so they have to dig deep before they can say "no case to answer"”
by Paul, Brighton (ex-Hull)
Thursday, February 19 2009, 2:00PM
“Well done Tracy! Far from being considered for prosecution (which I sincerely hope isn't even an option) you should be awarded a bravery medal. If more people stood up to the scum that infest our society, we may begin to make a better place for us all.
If the police are forced to investigate Tracey's use of force, don't blame them, blame the shoddy legal system that places to much emphasis on scum's human rights. As far as I'm concerned, the moment someone begins to commit such a crime, their human rights disappear, after all they do not care about the victims rights to live safely.”