Thief steals money during retirement sale (From Salisbury Journal)

Thief steals money during retirement sale

8:00am Thursday 14th March 2013 in News By Elizabeth Kemble

A 76-YEAR-OLD Salisbury trader has been left shocked and upset after a thief snatched cash from the till during his retirement sale.

Hugh Teed, who hasn’t once been the victim of theft during 44 years of business in Fisherton Street, was the only one working in his shop, Teed Tools & DIY, when the thief struck.

He said: “I had gone to the other side of the shop to get something for someone and was gone just a matter of seconds.

“I think this person had been standing around and had seen all the cash going into the till. When I wasn’t there they pushed the refund button, put in a figure and took out the cash – the other customers must have assumed they were a member of staff.”

It wasn’t until the end of the day when the till roll was being checked that it was discovered £118 was missing.

“I usually keep the till fairly empty but on this occasion it wasn’t,” said Mr Teed. “I feel very cross about it. I’m about to retire and I want to raise as much money as possible to make a reasonable retirement.”

Teed Tools, which opened in 1968, is set to close in about three months’ time.

Mr Teed said: “Now seems to be the right time for me to retire and become a full-time granddad.

“I have met a lot of people and I will miss the customers a lot – the retirement sale gives me a chance to thank all those who have supported me over the years.

Anyone with information on the theft, which happened at about 1pm on Thursday, March 7, can contact Wiltshire Police on 101.