Man arrested after robber pours petrol over supermarket worker in front of horrified Christmas shoppers before fleeing with £500

Lidl customers were subjected to a terrifying Christmas shopping experience when a robber poured petrol over a supermarket worker before escaping with £500.

The thief stormed into a Lidl in Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, south Wales, on Saturday with a jerry can of fuel which he poured over a horrified staff member.

He then allegedly threatened other employees and members of the public before throwing petrol at them and fleeing with £500 cash from the till.

A man, 54, was arrested on Monday on suspicion of robbery. He remains in police custody as the investigation continues. 

A spokesman for South Wales Police said: 'At around 5.15pm on Saturday, December 16 a man entered the store with a fuel container and poured the contents over a member of staff, demanding cash from the till.

 'Around £500 was stolen. Several items have been recovered for forensic examination.'

Detective Sergeant Tony Watts said: 'This was an extremely frightening incident for staff and shoppers at the Lidl store. 

'One man has been arrested and an investigation is continuing.'

Lidl has been contacted for a comment.