Reward to catch camera muggers who triggered photographer's heart attack
A reward has been offered to help catch two yobs who tried to steal an amateur photographer's camera, causing him to suffer a heart attack.
The 69-year-old victim was taking pictures of flowers in Dudley's Priory Park when the robbery attempt was made by two men on a stolen motorbike.
The victim, who regularly walks through the park, had a pre-existing heart condition and the shock of the robbery attempt brought on an immediate attack.
The Friends of Priory Park group has been left so disgusted by the incident that members want to help find the man's assailants.
Chairman Mariann Harris said she was horrified by what had happened in the normally peaceful park.
The Friends group is offering a £100 reward for information leading to a conviction.
The money has been raised through the sale of tea and coffees in the park and Mrs Harris said the group felt it was a fitting way to spend the cash.
"It's a terrible thing to have happened to a visitor to the park. As a Friends group, we think we should use this bit of money to help find those responsible.
"It's such a shame this has happened and I hope the man is recovering well.
"It's a lovely park. We would hate for this to put people off visiting the park. It's one of those unfortunate incidents where someone has sadly been in the wrong place at the wrong time," she added.
Despite falling to the ground, the victim, who is recovering in hospital after his ordeal on Tuesday, was able to snap the duo making their getaway.
The motorbike, a blue Yamaha YZF R125, was stolen from the multi-storey car park at Merry Hill shopping centre.
Two men were caught on CCTV arriving at the car park on a red scrambler-type bike.
The bike the pair were on had false registration plates.
Police have released the images taken in Priory Park in a bid to track down the men.
The rider of the bike is described as young and was wearing a red motorbike jacket with black down the sleeves and a black helmet.
His pillion passenger is also described as young and was wearing a dark grey tracksuit with dark blue Nike Air Max trainers and a black and white striped helmet.
Anyone with information should call Dudley CID on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
