Fresh plea to catch Cycle Bandit
Police have made a fresh appeal for witnesses in a bid to catch the "Bicycle Bandit" responsible for a spate of terrifying armed robberies in the Black Country.
CCTV images of the man, with his face covered by a scarf and woolly hat, were first published last month after the crook threatened petrified staff at a series of shops in Dudley and Tipton before escaping on a pushbike.
But despite the plea, no-one has been arrested for the raids.Thought to be in his late teens or early 20s, the robber made off with cash from two stores, but fled empty-handed from four more.
The latest of the raids took place on March 22, when the villain escaped with cash from the Co-op, in Albion Street, Tipton, 10 minutes after an attempt to rob Ladbrokes, just a few yards away in Owen Street. Officers say they believe the same man left staff badly shaken at McDonald's in Castlegate Way, Dudley, after forcing them to hand over money at gun point at around 6.45am on March 6.
That followed three separate bungled raids in one day, when he first failed to make off with cash from Jet Service Station in Dixons Green Road, Dudley at 7am on March 4.
He left empty-handed from Tesco petrol station, on Birmingham New Road, Dudley, two hours later, before returning for another unsuccessful attempt at the Jet Service Station, in Dixons Green Road.
Described as white and between 5ft 8ins and 6ft tall, his bicycle is thought to be either silver or gold coloured.
Police say they are investigating possible links between all of the offences.
Anyone with information is asked to call Dudley CID on 0845 1135000, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
