By John McCusker
AN Omagh cafe owner robbed at knifepoint has spoken of the terrifying moments a hooded man broke into her premises and threatened her.
But Anne Howe, who runs the Culmore Diner on the Dromore Road, had nothing but praise for the help and encouragement she has received from family, friends and customers since her ordeal last week.
Just before 7pm last Thursday night, Mrs Howe was in a small office at the rear of the premises on the Dromore Road when a hooded man wielding a knife pounced through a rear door. Customers sitting just yards away were unaware of her plight.
"I was ready to go home when this man in a mask suddenly entered the office," she told the UHe"He had a bread knife and started to threaten me and hit me on the face and arm. He kept shouting at me and eventually made off with my handbag which contained cash and cheques and also my keys and mobile phone."
Since her ordeal, Mrs Howe has been inundated with messages of encouragement and goodwill and this week she extended a 'thank you' to everyone who wished her well.
"I couldn't believe the offers of encouragement I've had from customers, family and friends and people from about the area who have all been a constant support to me. The next day, staff arrived in with flowers and people have been phoning and calling into the café. It certainly goes to prove that out of evil there comes good.
"I am ever so grateful to everyone who has helped me get back to work and get on with things. I knew if I didn't get back to work as quickly as possible then it would become harder as time went on. We have been running the business here for 11 years and nothing like this has ever happened before."
Appealing for help in tracking the robber, a police spokesman said, "A member of staff was in a back office at the Dromore Road restaurant when a man came in through a rear door and threatened her with a kitchen knife.
"He demanded money and grabbed a black leather handbag that contained cash and cheques belonging to the business, as well as some of the woman's personal effects.
"The woman scuffled with the man and he struck her in the face before running off."
Police described the robber as being about 5 ft 8 inches tall and of medium build. He was wearing a grey hooded top and had a balaclava over his face.
Meanwhile, detectives are also investigating a second robbery at a filling station at Beltany Road during which a man escaped with a sum of money after threatening staff.
The man entered the filling station on Saturday evening shortly after 5pm and demanded cash from the till. He made his escape in a Peugeot van which was later found on the Strathroy Road.
The suspect was described as being over six feet tall, of skinny build and was wearing a fluorescent safety bib and dirty jeans.
While police don't think both robberies were linked, they believe locals were responsible.
Police have appealed for anyone who can help them with information on either incident to contact detectives in Omagh on 0845 600 8000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
