Escaped prisoner wanted for questioning over Chester and Frodsham armed robberies

Mar 6 2009 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

POLICE are asking the public to dial 999 if they spot an escaped armed raider suspected of committing two robberies.

Gareth Siarl Williams, 36, is wanted for questioning after gun-point raids on bookmakers Coral’s in Frodsham last Monday and Corbett’s in Chester on Monday of this week.

In both cases female shop assistants were left badly shaken.

A CCTV image was captured during the raid on Corbett’s which bears a striking similarity to Williams.

Williams escaped from Mold Crown Court in December. He was due to be sentenced for holding up four post offices, including Ashton Hayes, when he threatened sub-post mistress Helen Rimmer with a knife.

Inspector Phil Hodgson said: “We are anxious to trace him and have a number of officers actively seeking him in a variety of ways.

“If anyone believes they have sighted him, dial 999 and under no circumstances approach him.

“I would also appeal for him to give himself up because we will get him in the end. The whole of the Constabulary is looking for him. ”

Williams escaped custody by holding a blade to the throat of a female security officer at the court. A three-figure sum was stolen in the Frodsham robbery and a four-figure sum was taken in the raid on Corbett’s in Hoole, Chester.

Inspector Hodgson believes Williams is living locally and is either sleeping rough or being housed by a contact.

He said anyone with information about his whereabouts could pass on information in the strictest confidence.

“This man needs to be arrested as soon as possible,” he added.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 458 0000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.