A man has been charged following an armed robbery of a petrol station in Winnersh yesterday.

The charge comes after it was announced by Thames Valley Police that a masked robber, armed with a hammer, stole money from the till of the BP petrol station on Reading Road, Winnersh, at around 4.50am yesterday morning.

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Gary Smith, aged 37, of Ramsey Close, Earley, was charged earlier today, June 29, with one count of robbery and one count of an offensive weapon.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: "Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man has been charged in connection with a robbery in Winnersh.

"Gary Smith, aged 37, of Ramsey Close, Earley, was charged today, June 29, with one count of robbery and one count of possession of an offensive weapon.

"This is in connection with a robbery that took place in Reading Road, Winnersh on Sunday, June 28.

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"Smith was also charged with five counts of theft in relation to a number of incidents that took place on June 9 and 10, 2020 in Winnersh.

"Smith has been remanded in custody to appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court today, June 29."