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An armed robber carrying a blowtorch stole cash from a North Wales shoe shop and spent it on a new outfit at a store just down the street, according to sources.

Detectives say a man entered Shoezone in the Deiniol Centre in Bangor and threatened the staff , before making off with cash on Easter Monday.

North Wales Live now understands that, following the incident, the robber went into JD Sports on Bangor High Street and purchased new clothes and shoes.

Sources say staff were then asked to dispose of the outfit he was wearing when he entered the store.

It's understood that the employees, unaware of the robbery moments earlier, disposed of his clothes.

It is believed the man then dropped a blow torch on the floor as he left the shop, before fleeing the scene on foot.

Police were unwilling to confirm details of the incident that left staff at Shoe Zone "shocked".

Armed police attended the scene at around 2.32pm on Easter Monday, as the shopping centre was blocked off to the public.

Both Shoezone and JD Sports were closed briefly following the incident while police investigated.

Police are still hunting for the suspect, who is described as being in his mid-20s with short brown hair.

Superintendent Nick Evans of North Wales Police said: "We are appealing to anyone who was in the vicinity at the time or who may have seen someone acting suspiciously in the area to contact police.

"Our enquiries are ongoing and officers are keen to hear from anyone who believes they have any information which may be relevant to the investigation."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or use the live webcha t, quoting reference X054834.