DETECTIVES at Warrington are urging witnesses to come forward following two robberies in the Sankey Valley Park area yesterday, Wednesday.
The victim of each incident had their bicycle stolen.
At around 5pm a 22-year-old man from Warrington was threatened by three men who came from the opposite direction as he cycled on a path that runs alongside Nansen Close.
One of them was riding a bicycle and the other two were walking.
One threatened the victim and demanded his white Carrera Kraken mountain bike.
After stealing the bike the offenders fled in the direction of Old Hall and Westbrook.
The victim left the scene in the direction that he came from, towards the railway above the path.
Around an hour-and-a-half later, at about 6.30pm, a 14-year-old boy was walking with his bicycle and a 13-year-old girl along the “sand path” near to Sankey Valley Park towards Lilford Avenue.
When they were near to the low and high bridges they were accosted by two men who had come from the park. One was on a bicycle and the other was walking.
The 14-year-old was threatened by one of the culprits who grabbed his dark blue Carrera Hellcat mountain bike and then rode off towards the park.
Police believe the incidents may be linked. Enquiries are ongoing and detectives are appealing for anyone and believes they may have seen something that could be relevant to come forward.
They are particularly keen to speak to anyone who was cycling in the Sankey Valley Park area wearing a helmet camera, as well as to anyone who thinks they may know the identities of any of the offenders.
Detective Sergeant Darren Reid, of Warrington CID, said: “These incidents have understandably left the victims extremely shaken up and I would like to reassure the community that we are stepping up patrols in the area.
“Anyone with any concerns should speak to an officer.
“We believe the incidents may be linked and as part of our investigations we want to hear from anyone who was in the Sankey Valley Park area and thinks they may have seen the offenders before, during or after either of the robberies.
“The same goes for anyone who may have footage of the offenders from a cycling helmet camera.”
The three offenders in the first robbery looked to be in their late teens.
One was around 5’ 9” tall, of proportionate build and was wearing a dark coloured cotton-style hooded top with the hood pulled up over his head. He had a black zip-up jacket over the top of his hoody and also had dark cotton jogging bottoms on.
Another looked between 5’ 10” and 6’ tall. He had a slim build and was wearing a black hoody with the hood pulled up. He had a neck warmer underneath this, which was pulled up and covered the lower half of his face. He also had black jogging bottoms and dark coloured Nike-style trainers on and was carrying a drawstring bag over his back.
The other male who was on foot was also wearing dark clothing including a hooded top with the hood up.
In the second robbery, one man had blond hair and was wearing a hooded top with the hood up and grey jogging bottoms. The other had dark hair and was wearing black clothing.
Anyone with information or footage that may help detectives with their investigations should call police on 101, quoting IML 339969 (first robbery) or IML 340052 (second robbery), give the details via https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
