Taxi drivers robbed in late night attacks
TWO taxi drivers were robbed on Sunday and Monday night in two "terrifying" attacks in Dukinfield.
The first incident took place at 1am on Sunday after a private hire driver picked up two men from Tarbet Road.
One of the men sat in the front passenger seat while the other got in the back behind the driver.
The 26-year-old driver was directed to a dead end off Hope Street where the man in the back of the car put his arm around his neck.
One punched and kicked him and demanded cash.
They took the victim’s money, mobile phone, computer and car keys before running off up an alleyway on to Crescent Road. The offender in the front seat is described as white, 6ft 2ins, aged 25-27 and of medium build. He had a shaven head and was wearing a long-sleeved hooded fleece top, black gloves and black tracksuit bottoms.
The second incident happened at about 11pm on Monday when a 38-year-old driver of a private hire taxi picked up two men from Clarendon Road.
He took them to an address on Old Road but as the victim stopped the car, the man in the back seat grabbed him around the neck and the offender in the front seat pulled out a knife and demanded money.
He searched the victim’s pockets and both men ran off on to Hall Green Road.
As the driver got out his car, one of the offenders returned and kicked him in the head.
They escaped with a small amount of cash and a mobile phone.
The offenders are described as white, aged 22-29 and of heavy build. They were both wearing dark coloured tracksuits and had local accents.
Detective Constable Kim Hines, of Ashton CID, said: "Both these incidents were terrifying attacks on two men who were simply doing their jobs. Luckily, neither of them sustained serious injuries but they were both left extremely shaken.
"At this stage we are linking these two incidents and I would ask anyone with any information to call Ashton CID on 856 9256 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111."
Tameside Advertiser March 2007