Teens arrested after knifepoint e-scooter robbery
AMASSIVE police operation across South Bristol on Thursday night was sparked when a woman was mugged at knifepoint and robbed of her e-scooter.
Two teenagers, aged 14 and 17, were arrested after a 90-minute search when police deployed a stinger device to stop the stolen moped they were riding through an underpass near Ashton Gate Stadium.
Police have also confirmed that a third person involved in the robbery, who made off on the stolen e-scooter, is still at large, and police are appealing for the public’s help to identify them.
The drama began just off St John’s Lane in the Victoria Park area of Bedminster at around 7.15pm on Thursday.
A woman was on an e-scooter with her shopping when she was approached by three young men.
The Post understands that one of them pulled what was described as a ‘Rambo knife’ and threatened the victim, kicking her off the e-scooter.
One of the three rode off on the e-scooter, while the other two escaped on a moped. The woman sustained minor injuries in the attack.
Police said that the moped was confirmed to have been stolen earlier on Thursday afternoon in the Whitchurch area of south Bristol. They are investigating reports that the two suspects on the moped were also involved in an attempted robbery in Bedminster shortly after the e-scooter was stolen.
Police in the area soon spotted the two on the moped in Bedminster, but it failed to stop, so police from all over Bristol descended on BS3, with the police helicopter from NPAS at Filton circling Bedminster, Ashton, Southville and Bedminster Down as the pursuit continued for a considerable time.
Eventually, the pair were tracked down to the Ashton Gate area.
One police officer deployed a stinger device at the subway closest to Bower Ashton Terrace and the suspects ran off on foot into Greville Smyth Park, where they were arrested.
A police spokesperson said: “At around 9pm, police deployed a stinger device to stop the moped in an underpass on Winterstoke Road, near Ashton Gate stadium. The riders decamped and ran into Greville Smyth Park. Two teenagers were then detained nearby.
“The moped was confirmed to have been stolen from the Whitchurch area earlier the same day.
“A 14-year-old boy and a young man aged 17 were arrested and taken into police custody. Both have been released under investigation while enquiries continue.”