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Double stabbing before stolen car smashes into ambulance in Brownhills drama

Two men were seriously injured after being stabbed, while their suspected attacker allegedly tried to rob a shop and then crashed a stolen car into an ambulance.

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A man, thought to be in his 30s, has been arrested in relation to all of the incidents, which took place within 500 metres of each other on Sunday.

The man is suspected of breaking into a property in Tamar Close at around 5pm, stabbing the two men inside and then stealing their vehicle.

Minutes later he is alleged to have targeted a convenience store in Shannon Drive, before driving off and crashing into an ambulance on Wilkin Road - which was responding to the double stabbing.

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Witnesses spoke of a man 'wielding a knife' who was then held on the floor by police. Minutes later the suspect was placed in a hood and led away in handcuffs by four burly officers while stunned residents watched on.

A West Midlands Police statement said: "After a short foot chase he was detained by officers and taken into custody.

The ambulance and car in a video shot by Bill Bishop

"The two men have been taken to hospital where their injuries are described as serious."

The area remained cordoned off late into the evening, while a recovery lorry and emergency services were at the scene.

Labour councillor Steve Wade for Brownhills said: "I am stunned to be honest, things like this just don't usually happen here. It's unbelievable, shocking."

Some reports locally suggested the suspect had been Tasered by police just before being caught.

One resident who lives on Shannon Drive said: "All we know is that apparently a few people have been stabbed.

"It all started happening around 6pm. There's been police everywhere - it's been crazy, like something you'd see in a film or on TV.

"The whole thing has been really scary and the flashing lights and sirens haven't stopped. Nothing like this had happened before around here. I just hope the people involved are going to be okay."

The incident sparked a flurry of messages on social media, with @ianrobo1 tweeting: "Bloody hell what's happening in Brownhills the last few days?"

Footage filmed by Brownhills resident Bill Bishop showed the ambulance left bumper-to-bumper with a damaged car on Wilkin Road, surrounded by police cars and with its blue lights still flashing.

A second video of the aftermath of the crash was viewed more than 4,000 times on Facebook in less than two hours.

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