At

about 9.50pm on Sunday 19 December 2010, the member of staff had just locked up

and set the alarm at the Le Rendezvous restaurant in Higher Green Lane, Astley,

when he was approached by four men wearing balaclavas and gloves.

They

threatened him and forced him to open the doors and turn off the alarm system.

Two

of the men restrained the employee and threatened to harm him, while the other

two men stole a considerable quantity of cash.

The

four men left the member of staff with his hands and ankles bound, lying on the

floor. They then stole his mobile phone and portable phones from the property

so that he could not raise the alarm.

Detective

Constable Kath Andrews from Wigan CID said: "This was obviously a very

frightening attack for the man and I would like to reassure local residents and

businesses that we have a team of detectives investigating this crime.

"We

are looking at CCTV and are also appealing to any witnesses that may have been

in the area at around 10pm on Sunday 19 December. I would ask anyone who saw

what happened or who saw anyone acting suspiciously to call us to help us catch

these offenders."

Anyone

with any information is asked to call police on 0161 856 7259 or call the

independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.