A twenty year old man is in custody after four robberies were committed in Manchester city centre in the space of a month.
On Wednesday 17 July , a man was cycling home when he was stopped by the offender and threatened with a knife. The victim had his bike and other property stolen. After the robbery the offender then went on to use bank cards stolen from the victim to purchase items in various shops on Stockport Road.
On Tuesday 30 July , a 77-year old year old man had been playing on a gambling machine in David Pluck Bookmakers on Stockport Road where he won a large quantity of cash. The victim was followed as he left the bookmakers, placed in a headlock and then dragged to the ground. The offender then stole the victim’s winnings before running off down Stanley Grove, leaving the victim lying on the street.
A third personal robbery offence took place on Friday 9 August at around 7.30am, when the victim was walking to work. He was approached by a man and threatened with a knife. The offender then took him to an ATM and forced him to withdraw a large quantity of cash with threats of further violence.
On Sunday 11 August , the offender approached the victim with a knife and threatened them for over 20 minutes. He then escorted the victim to an ATM on Stockport Road where he forced them to withdraw cash.
After a number of enquiries, officers from Operation Valiant arrested a 20-year-old man on suspicion of four counts of knifepoint robbery, intent to supply, possession of a bladed article and assaulting a police officer with intent to resist arrest.
PC Leon McLaughlin, from GMP’s Operation Valiant team, said: “Thanks to the officers working under Operation Valiant we have managed to make an arrest for these offences.
No one should be subjected to something like this when out and about, and the victims have been understandably left shaken by what has happened.”
