Taxi driver threatened and robbed of his car near Shrewsbury
Police have appealed for witnesses after a taxi driver was threatened and robbed of his car in a village on the outskirts of Shrewsbury.
The incident happened near Condover Social Club between about 9.15pm and 9.40pm yesterday.
The passenger, a man in his 20s, is reported to have demanded the driver get out after taking a shiny, metallic object from his pocket, which the victim believes may have been a knife.
The driver jumped from the still-moving vehicle, managing to grab his takings bag as he did so and the offender drove off in the car at speed.
The taxi, a blue Ford Mondeo, was later found set alight in a field off Endeavour Place in Stourport at about 1am this morning.
Detective Sergeant Simon Morris, who is leading the investigation, said the taxi driver was shaken but not physically injured.
"He picked up the offender at the Lee Fung House Chinese takeaway in Hereford Road, Belle Vue shortly after 9pm and the man asked to go to Sainsbury's at Meole Brace," he said.
"Once there, the man used the cash machines before getting back into the taxi and asking to continue his journey to Condover Industrial Estate.
"As they entered Condover, the passenger is alleged to have tussled with the driver for control of the vehicle, grabbing the wheel and pushing him.
"After taking something shiny and metallic from his pocket, the man is reported to have told the driver to get out or he would ‘get it', or words to that effect.
"The victim jumped out while the car was still moving slowly and the offender then drove off at speed towards the industrial estate."
DS Morris appealed for anyone who might have seen the suspect at any of the locations above that night or who might have seen a blue Ford Mondeo, registration BJ55 YCZ, being driven in an erratic manner in the Condover area.
"I am also keen to hear from anyone who might have seen the car on the roads between Condover and where it was eventually found in Stourport some hours later," he added.
CCTV from the area, including the Meole Brace Retail Park, is being examined.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact CID at Shrewsbury on 101 or the anonymous Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111, where a reward is sometimes offered.
