Two aggravated burglaries in the Royton area are being investigated, with detectives believing the incidents show strong similarities and may be linked.
In both cases, an intruder targeted elderly victims in their homes, stealing wallets, demanding PINs, and using violence, with no signs of forced entry.
The most recent incident occurred yesterday evening (15 February 2026) on Mellaieu Street, Royton. At around 7.20pm, an 82‑year‑old victim discovered a man hiding beneath his dining table. The intruder jumped out, overpowered him, and struck him on the head with his own walking stick. The offender then tied the victim’s hands and ankles with a cable, placed him on a chair inside a cupboard, and inflicted a further head injury using a knife, causing a laceration.
The offender stole the victim’s wallet and demanded the PIN for his bank card. The card was later used around midnight at an ATM on Oldham Road near to the junction of the old Edge Lane Launderette.
Despite his injuries, the victim managed to free himself, reach his phone, and call his daughter, who immediately alerted police via 999. He is currently safe and receiving treatment at Royal Oldham Hospital.
The offender was described as a black male wearing a covid-style face mask and gloves. This description is similar to one provided by elderly victims in a separate aggravated burglary on Roman Road, Royton, on Monday 10 February at around 11.45pm. In that incident, a Black male of large build, approximately 6ft tall, with big curly hair and dressed in all black with a yellow high‑visibility gilet, was found standing next to the couple’s bed as they slept.
As in the later incident, the intruder stole wallets, demanded PIN numbers, whilst holding two of the victims’ kitchen knives. He also took their phones. The couple reported that the intruder brought an unknown liquid with him, poured it into a glass, and attempted to force them to drink it. They did not drink the liquid. A cable was also left behind.
In both cases, there was no sign of forced entry; instead, it is believed the offender gained access through front doors that had been closed but left unlocked.
Whilst detectives cannot yet confirm that the two incidents are definitively linked, there are clear similarities, and officers believe an individual may be deliberately targeting elderly residents in the Royton area for financial gain.
Victims are being fully supported by officers.
