Armed robbers wielding a bladed weapon likened to a “butcher’s knife” from the Friday the 13th horror movies and a baseball bat have left a convenience store owner counting the cost – and tightening procedures.

Sharrieff Wales spoke after police announced they were seeking two men in connection with the armed robbery at a grocery shop on Wednesday in Sandys.

The suspects, one wielding the knife and the other the bat, struck at Champs Variety Store on Cambridge Road just before 11pm.

Police said the men demanded the two female staff hand over cash – taking an unknown sum from the store’s registers.

Mr Wales, who owns several stores, said that staff at the West End shop had been left “a little shook up – maybe even more than a little” but added the women were unharmed.

Mr Wales recalled that his Glebe Road outlet of Champs had also been struck in 2019 by armed robbers.

“It’s the second one – they caught me very early when I had the store there.

“I guess twice in four years isn’t horrible, but I am a glass-is-half-full kind of guy.”

The robbery was still a blow, with the Champs outlets offering 10 per cent off on essential grocery items until the end of this month.

But Mr Wales said he planned to change procedure so that “it won’t happen again” – including locking doors at 9pm at the 24-hour store.

He said the cut-off point in alcohol sales meant the store would have a queue of customers at that time, likely to deter a would-be robber.

According to police, the suspects fled on a white motorcycle, licence plate CF587, riding east on Somerset Road.

One was described as heavy set, with a limp, and about 5ft 8in tall.

He wore a black helmet with a dark visor, a grey rain jacket, black pants, black gloves and carried a bat.

The second was said to be slim and 5ft 6in tall, wearing a black and white helmet with a visor and a scarf concealing the lower part of his face.

He wore black gloves and appeared to be armed with a kitchen knife.

Anyone with information, or who may have seen suspicious activity in the area of Champs Variety Store at about 11pm, is urged to contact Detective Constable Malcolm Dill on 717-2017 or via e-mail at mdill@bps.bm

The public can also call the main police number, 295-0011, use the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers number 800-8477, or share information with a familiar police officer.