Police believe Redditch underpass robberies may be linked (From Redditch Advertiser)

Police believe Redditch underpass robberies may be linked

3:10pm Tuesday 25th September 2012 in News

A CYCLIST was pushed off his bike in a Redditch underpass in an attempted robbery.

Police are linking the latest incident on Friday, September 21 with a knife robbery the previous evening in another underpass nearby, which also involved a group of Asian males.

In Friday's incident a man in his 50s was confronted by a group of around six Asian youths, possibly in their late teens, as he rode a bike through the underpass between Greenlands Drive and the path leading to a footbridge over the A441 Alvechurch Highway. 

One pushed the man off his bike and told him to hand over property including his mobile phone. Reference was made to a knife during the incident although none was seen. The victim said he did not have anything to give them and pushed his bike from the scene while the group stayed in the underpass.

He suffered bruising and grazing when he fell from his bike but did not require medical treatment.

The main offender was described as aged around 17, 5ft 8ins tall, average build, with hair on his top lip. He wore a large, dark winter jacket.
Detective Constable Dave Jennings said the incident was being linked with the previous underpass robbery off Harport Road between Lodge Park and Greenlands.

He said: "On that occasion three Asian males threatened a man at knifepoint and stole a bag from him containing an empty lunchbox.

"There are obvious similarities and it may well be that some of the same people were involved in both. We’d like to hear from anyone else using those underpasses who may have noticed these males or be able to tell us who they are.

"Nothing was taken in Friday night's incident but the fact that reference was made to a knife and one was actually produced the evening before is of great concern.”

Patrols by uniformed officers have been stepped up in the area.

Anyone with information should call Det Con Jennings on101, quoting incident reference 238-N-210912, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.