Artist’s impression released as part of Telford robbery investigation
Police in Telford have today released an artist’s impression of a man they wish to identify in relation to an unusual robbery that occurred earlier this year.
The incident occurred close to the old Texaco petrol station on Southall Road in Dawley on Tuesday 22 January 2013.
At around 6.45pm, a 16-year-old girl who had agreed to buy a mobile phone off an unknown individual online arrived close to the petrol station. This is where she had agreed to meet the person selling the phone.
A short time later a car pulled up – described as an old style black Vauxhall Astra with five doors, a spoiler at the back and tinted rear windows – and a man in the passenger’s seat wound down the window and spoke to the girl.
The man said he had the phone for her and asked her to hand over the money.
A police spokesman said:
“The girl handed the money – almost £100 – to the man expecting him to give her the phone but rather than doing this, the car immediately drove off.
“As the girl’s hand was still in the window at the time she got dragged a short distance by the car before falling to the floor.
“Having driven off, the car – which officers believe had been waiting on the forecourt at the old petrol station prior to this incident - travelled away at speed towards Heath Hill.
“As soon as the car left the scene, the victim – who suffered bruises to her head and chest and a small cut to her hand as a result of this incident – immediately called the police to report what had happened.
“She has been able to give officers investigating this incident a description of the man in the car she handed the money to. He is described as being Asian in appearance, aged between 18 and 22, as having a slim build, short, shaved, dark hair and as wearing a dark coloured jacket.
“Police have now released an image of this man – created by an artist – and would like to speak to anyone who believes they may be able to help identify him.
“Officers also remain keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or anyone who may have seen the black car in the Southall Road or Finger Road area before or after the robbery itself.
“Anyone with information about this robbery is asked to contact police officers in CID in Telford on 101 or 0300 333 3000, quoting incident number 463S 220113.
“Alternatively, please remember Crimestoppers can also be called anonymously on 0800 555 111 if you’d rather leave information without identifying yourself.”
