Elderly male assaulted during house robbery near Bridgnorth
An elderly man was pushed to the ground and assaulted with his own walking stick during a robbery at his home yesterday.
Three men knocked on the door of the house in Quatt at about 8.40pm yesterday evening and asked directions to a local pub. One of the offenders then forced his way inside and knocked the man to the floor, before striking him on the head with his own walking stick.
A second man then entered and demanded money, before snatching the phone from the hands of the man’s terrified wife, who was trying to call for help, and ordering her to remove her rings and hand them over.
He then went upstairs while the first offender kept the couple in the living room, again demanding money. The third offender is believed to have been keeping watch outside.
The elderly man tried to challenge the man but the offender smashed the glass in a door in a threatening manner. Both offenders then left the house and joined the third man, before making off, possibly in a vehicle.
Detective Constable Jason Whelan, of Bridgnorth CID, said at this stage it was not known exactly what was stolen, but jewellery and the elderly lady’s purse are believed to be among the items taken.
“The elderly male victim suffered a head injury and was treated by paramedics at the scene. Fortunately he was not seriously injured,” he said.
“Both he and his wife were left extremely shaken up by the events and I urge anyone who might have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area that night, however insignificant it may seem, to please contact me as a matter of urgency on 0300 333 3000.
“These offenders were willing to use violence on an elderly man and need to be caught.
“If anyone saw unknown vehicles in the Quatt area or persons hanging around that they did not recognise at the time and in the hours running up to the robbery, please get in touch.”
All three offenders were male and described as Asian, with the two who entered the house believed to be in their 20s and the one who waited outside in his mid to late teens.
The man who carried out the assault is described as having a moustache and distinctive ‘bulging’ eyes.
Anyone with information which could help the police investigation is asked to contact police as a matter of urgency on 0300 333 3000 or the anonymous Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111, where a reward is sometimes offered.
