Masked man points inside clothing before robbing schoolboy's bike

Masked men robbed a teenager while he rode his bike in a park.

Police were called to Crow Wood Park in Widnes at around 7.10pm on Friday, April 5 to reports of a robbery inside the park. The caller reported that a 15-year-old boy had been biking with friends when he was approached by two unknown men.

One of the men grabbed the handlebars of his bike and demanded the boy hand it over to him. When the teenager refused, the second man gestured inside his clothing and, despite one not being shown to him, threatened to use a knife if he did not hand the bike over.

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The victim complied and the two men took the bike, riding away, with one sat on the handlebars and the other on the bike seat, in the direction of Halton View Bridge. The first suspect is described as a white, around 5ft 10in tall, of slim build. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a black bubble jacket, black trousers, black trainers and black gloves.

His face and neck was covered by a black ski mask. The second suspect is also described as white, around 5ft 8in tall and of slim build. He also wore a black bubble jacket, black sports trousers, black shoes with white detailing on them and a black ski mask.

The bike is described as a light grey GIANT mountain bike with a black logo on sides of the frame, a black seat and black handlebars.

Detective Constable Ben Parkinson, of CID Reactive North, said: “We are currently investigating this incident and as part of our enquiries we are urging anyone who may have been in the area around the time of the theft and saw any suspicious activity, or captured something that may help us on your dashcam or CCTV, to please get in touch.

"If you are offered for sale a bike that matches the description of the one stolen, I’d also urge you to get in touch.”

To report any information, visit cheshire.police.uk/tell-us or call 101, quoting IML-1793747. Alternatively information can be given anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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