Knife-wielding cyclist attempts to rob Earley man

A CYCLIST brandishing a knife attempted to rob a man walking along an Earley street and now police are appealing for witnesses, including the driver of a learner driver vehicle, to come forward.

The incident happened around 9am on Thursday, April 12, in Adams Way.

Thames Valley Police said that the victim, a 29-yearold man, was approached by a man on a black mountain bike who demanded that he hand over his mobile phone and money.

The victim refused and the would-be robber then pulled out a grey Stanley knife.

However, the victim managed to push the man off his bike and he ran to safety.

Police said that the victim was not injured during the incident.

The offender is described as black, approximately 5ft 8ins and had a slim build.

He was wearing a black hooded top with the hood up, grey tracksuit trousers, and a black baseball cap.

His bike had a black plastic chain lock around the handle bars.

Designated case investigator Claire Morgan, of the Investigation Hub based at Loddon Valley, said: “I would like to speak to anyone who saw the attempted robbery or who has any information which could help our investigation.

“The victim mentioned that he saw a learner driver car in Adams Way at the time of the incident so I would like to appeal to those in this vehicle to come forward.

“It happened at a time when the area was busy with vehicles so I would ask anyone who was driving in the area between 8.45am and 9.15am to check their dash-cam footage to see whether they have captured the offender riding his bike or anything else significant.”

If you have any information relating to this case, call 101 quoting reference ‘43180108800’, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.