Man slashes woman as he steals money
Police appeal for witnesses as thug with knife hacks at victim
ABLADE-WIELDING thug slashed a woman’s hand and coat with a knife during a terrifying robbery in Runcorn.
Detectives said the victim was walking along Grangeway at about 11.15am on Sunday, February 14, when a man on a bike cut across her path.
As the woman tried to move away, the robber demanded her phone and purse and made off with some cash, riding away towards Halton Lodge.
On social media, the victim said the thug had hacked at her hand and coat with what appeared to be a boxcutter when she had refused to part with her belongings, and that the ordeal left her injured hand ‘sore’ and her emotional state ‘embarrassed’.
Cheshire police have confirmed the victim suffered minor injuries to her hand during the incident and that it is believed the robber was armed with a knife.
The thug was described as white, around 20 to 25 years old, about 5ft 8ins tall and slim.
He was wearing a black padded coat with a dark green stripe across the chest and a black snood.
His black mountain-style bike had white front forks.
Witnesses have been urged to come forward.
The incident has been classed as aggravated robbery.
Detective Constable Nathaniel Walkowiak said: “There would have been several people out and about around the time of the incident and I would encourage anyone who may have seen something which didn’t look quite right to get in touch.
“Thankfully the victim was not seriously injured during the attack but it has left her shaken by her ordeal.
“We are doing all we can to find the man responsible and are following some lines of enquiry.
“As part of this, I would urge anyone who may think they know the suspect from the description above, or may have witnessed the incident, to come forward.
“The same goes for anyone who may have driven past and caught the incident on dashcam.”
● Anyone with information is asked to call Cheshire police on 101 quoting IML 917375 or report it via cheshire.police. uk/ro/report.
Alternatively, information can be passed to independent crime charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111 or going online to the website.
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