York Detectives are investigating a spate of robberies in the City.
At around 6.15pm on Friday 16 December, a 40-year-old man was threatened by a man with a baseball bat at the allotments on Fulford Road in York. He also threatened the man with a knife although he did not produce one. He stole the victim’s wallet.
Between 7.30 and 8.30pm on Friday 16 December, a 15-year-old boy was walking along the side of the River Ouse with a friend when he was approached by a man on a bike. The victim had just walked under Scarborough Bridge when the attacker shouted at him. He then threatened the boy with a knife and stole his wallet and mobile phone. The suspect is described as white, with short blonde hair and was wearing a black hoodie with the hood up and was riding a BMX type bike.
At around 11.pm, the same evening, a 24-year-old man was walking along York Road in Acomb and was passing the Blockbusters store when he was threatened by a man who claimed to have a knife. The victim ran off and nothing was stolen. The suspect in this incident is described as having blonde hair, aged in his early twenties and was wearing a black t-shirt with blue writing.
In the previous incident on Thursday 15 December, a 52-year-old woman had her handbag stolen by a man riding a bike on the railway footbridge between Leeman Road and Wilton Rise.
Detective Inspector Ian Dyer of York CID, said:
There are similarities in all of the incidents. However, a baseball bat was seen in just the one incident at Fulford Road allotments.
We need to catch whoever is responsible for these robberies, they are frightening and cause great distress to the victims.
Detectives are examining CCTV to try and trace the offender’s movements and identify him. But we also need the public’s help.
If anyone saw a man matching the suspects description or knows who the offender may be, I urge you to contact us urgently.”
If members of the public find any discarded wallets or handbags, please call the police straight away.
Please help us to catch whoever is responsible before they strike again.
Anyone with information is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 – select option 2 – and ask for York CID.
Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
