A LIMPING gunman used the power of deception to sneak his way into a restaurant and rob �15,000 from the safe.

The armed robber posed as a delivery man to get inside Frankie and Benny’s restaurant, in The Brewery, Romford, on Monday this week and swiped the cash while holding the manager at gunpoint.

He was a “heavily built dark-skinned black man who had dreadlocks and a plaster covering part of his top lip” a Havering Police spokesman said.

The spokesman added: “It was clear he had a pronounced limp.”

The armed robber arrived at the branch of the American-Italian 50s restaurant at about 8.15am, when the restaurant was open for breakfast.

He wore a fluorescent tabard and told staff he was a delivery man to gain access.

He produced a gun and pointed it at the manager demanding he open the safe.

The manager handed over in the region of �15,000.

The robber made of on foot, still limping, across The Brewery car park, across Waterloo Road and into the Waterloo Road Estate.

A spokesman for Frankie and Benny’s would not comment on the incident but said: “We are co-operating fully with the police.”

Anyone with information relating to the incident is asked to contact DC Laurie Bays of the Flying Squad on 0208 3454226.