April 17, 2008
Taxi driver threatened with sawn-off shotgun
A taxi was stolen at gunpoint during a robbery in north Manchester.
Just after midnight yesterday morning, the 33-year-old taxi driver pulled up outside the Mancunian Lodge on Rochdale Road to pick up passengers in his white Ford Transit minibus.
Two white men and one woman then got into the taxi and, under instruction from the passengers, the driver headed onto Thornton Street in Collyhurst and then onto Stretton Close.
One of the offenders then grabbed the taxi driver from behind and restrained him with the seatbelt. The other man then produced a knife and a sawn-off shotgun and demanded cash.
When the driver gave the offender a quantity of cash, he got out of the car and told the driver to get out otherwise he would shoot him. Fearing for his life, the driver got out and the offenders then drove off in the van.
Luckily, the driver was not physically harmed.
The driver immediately alerted police and a Forcewide message was circulated to all officers to look out for the van.
About 30 minutes later, the vehicle was found abandoned on Walderton Avenue and it has been recovered for forensic analysis.
Police are now appealing to anyone who may have seen the van being driven erratically in the area at about the time of the theft, or anyone who has information about the incident, to come forward.
The first man is described as white, in his 40s, about 5ft 8in tall of skinny build and with a thin face. He was clean shaven and spoke with a local accent. He was wearing a navy blue baseball cap and a blue jacket which was darker on the shoulders and lighter on the back.
The second man is described as being white, in his 40s, about 6ft 2in tall of thin build and with a thin face and sunken eyes. He had dark stubble and also spoke with a local accent. He was said to be wearing a cream bobble hat with a thin black line across it and a cream waist-length jacket.
The woman is described as being white, in her 30s, about 5ft 8in tall and of medium build with straight but messy mousy hair, cut below the ear. She was wearing a black scarf, dark blue jeans and a waist-length jacket, possibly green.
Detective Constable Gia Pasotti of Grey Mare Lane CID, said: "This sort of incident highlights the very real dangers that taxi drivers face, particularly late at night, and police are doing everything possible to locate and punish the offenders.
"The driver was innocently going about his business and went to pick up what he thought was a routine fare. However, he was confronted by offenders brandishing very dangerous weapons, including a sawn-off shotgun, which was a frightening experience. He did the right thing by not fighting back otherwise he could have been wounded.
"It is vital we apprehend these offenders and I would ask for the public to help us. Perhaps you saw the van being driven in the area at about the time of the theft or perhaps you saw someone fitting the description of the offenders? If so, come forward and speak to us. You could have a vital clue that will help us find these people."
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Grey Mare Lane CID on 0161 856 3540 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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