Express & Star

Man held up at gunpoint as he defrosted his car

A gun-wielding thief threatened a man while he was defrosting his car only to abandon the hijacking when he got stuck on the ice.

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Central Close.

It was the first of three incidents, being treating as connected by detectives, amid a morning of drama in Walsall which culminated in a large armed police presence descending on Aldridge.

The events unfolded from 5.45am on Tuesday at Central Close, Dudley Fields, in Bloxwich.

The victim said the assailant waved a gun at him ordering him out of his vehicle while he was waiting for ice to melt from the windows.

But when the suspect tried to speed off in the car he got stuck on the driveway and then fled on foot.

Then at 7.15am a husband and wife were threatened with a suspected gun.

A car collided into the back of their vehicle in Sutton Coldfield.

The driver then pointed the firearm at them as he sped past. The couple were not hurt and the damage to their car was described as 'very minor'.

The third incident took place when a man got into a taxi in Northgate, Aldridge, holding what was thought to be a loaded gun.

The taxi driver went into a nearby service station to call police while the suspect remained in the car.

But the man fled the area on foot and was sighted approaching Spar on Northgate which was subsequently cordoned off.

West Midlands Police confirmed they have arrested a man in connection with all three incidents.

A spokeswoman said: "A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence following three incidents involving a man with a suspected handgun in Bloxwich and Aldridge.

"The man made off on foot and was subsequently found and arrested by armed police as they searched the area.

"A vehicle was later recovered in the vicinity and police investigations are on-going.

"The suspected firearm has not been recovered.

"Anyone who witnessed these incidents or has information about them is asked to contact 101 giving reference 340 1212."