'Cowardly' West Bromwich gunpoint robbers hunted
Two 'cowardly' thieves threatened a disabled man and robbed a mother and daughter at gunpoint, police in the West Midlands revealed today, as they launched an appeal for witnesses.
The men committed the crimes within minutes of each other, threatening their victims in Dartmouth park, West Bromwich, with what appeared to be a shotgun.
The thieves stole a mobile phone from the 64-year-old mother and her daughter, aged 42, before targeting a 20-year-old disabled man. Despite making threats, the pair fled from the second incident empty handed. Police were alerted minutes later and local officers attended the scene, supported by a police helicopter.
Today they urged witnesses to come forward. The first offender is described as black, around 6ft tall, and slim. He is believed to be in his early 20s and was wearing a dark hoodie and a blue and white patterned face covering. The second robber was described as a mixed race Asian man in his early 20s, around 5ft 8ins tall, and slim.
Detective James Noble, from Sandwell CID, is leading the investigation.
He said: "Guns real or replica have no place on our streets and I and the rest of the investigation team are determined to find the two men responsible for these crimes.
"A great deal of work has already been undertaken to find the culprits including talking to the victims, reviewing CCTV footage and conducting house to house inquiries. We've also spoken to lots of people in the area, but I would encourage anyone who was in or around the park at the time and not yet spoken to us to get in touch."
Officers said they would continue to patrol the area in order to reassure local residents, prevent crimes and catch any copycat criminals in the act.
The crimes happened at around 6.40pm on October 2, near to the park's new climbing frame and pool.
Anyone with information should call 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
