DEVON and Cornwall Police is investigating a robbery at the Central Convenience Store and Post Office in Copplestone which happened at around 9.45pm on Saturday, January 11.?The male suspect, whose face was covered and was dressed in dark clothing with the hood of his top up, made off with a quantity of cash, believed to be in the region of £4,500.He is described as being around 5ft 8ins in height and of slim build.

Councillor Stuart Penny, chairman, Copplestone Parish Council, said that he “condemned completely” the robbery, adding: “Luckily no-one was physically hurt but the fear the staff must have been put through is disgusting.”

Mr Penny added: “We are not used to this sort of thing around here.”?Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who may have any information is urged to contact police on 101, or email: [email protected] , quoting crime reference CR/003270/20. ?Information can also be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111, or via the website: www.crimestoppers-uk.org .

This isn’t the first time the Convenience Store at Copplestone has suffered.

On October 23 in 2017, at about 11am, the Central Convenience Store and Post Office suffered from an electrical fire, which caused the evacuation of the store.

Smoke was seen pouring from an electrical cabinet in a corner of the store and the staff immediately got everyone out and called Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.

Two fire crews from Crediton as well as one from North Tawton and another from Exeter attended.

After putting out the fire and making the area safe, the crews called Western Power to make the electrics safe.

The store was still closed until later that afternoon.

Western Power used a “cherry picker” vehicle to carry out works to electrics outside the premises while colleagues worked inside the Store.

It was a shock for one member of staff as it was her first day working at the Store. No-one was injured.

It was during the early hours of Sunday, August 27, 2017, that a number of youths, it is believed four, broke-into the Central Convenience Store and Post Office, stealing £2,000 worth of cigarettes and tobacco and causing a great deal of damage.

After an extensive search during the morning, three of the youths, all aged 18, were arrested on suspicion of burglary, as well as for the theft of mopeds and bicycles in other raids in the area, by police near Crediton Railway Station and the Crediton Tesco store at Wellparks.

The Tarka Line between Copplestone and Newton St Cyres was closed during the police search because the youths were reported to be on the railway line.