Police hunt 'honeytrap' carjackers

Police are hunting a man and woman team of car jackers who paired up to steal the silver Mercedes C220, in what they say is an "unusual" crime.

A 45-year-old man was driving down the quiet Crook Lane at around 5.10pm on May 1 when he came across a broken down X registration red Mini Metro which was blocking the road.

Getting out of his car to help the stranded driver, a young blonde woman in her late 20s to early 30s, the victim was struck from behind by a man who pushed him into nettles and grabbed his car keys.

His attacker then jumped in the Mercedes and sped away, while the woman left the scene in the Metro. Police have now released this e-fit of a woman they are keen to trace, who was 5ft 6in tall and of slim build.

The male robber was also white and was 5ft 11in to 6ft tall.

Police inquiries are continuing and anyone with information is asked to call Walsall CID on 0845 113 5000.

Det Dgt Mick Hinton, of Walsall Police, said: "This was a most unusual incident in a quiet area which is usually free from crime.

"This is something that doesn't happen very often anywhere anyway, but especially not in this location. This was a quiet country lane where there is just a handful of houses." The incident is not the first of its kind in the region this year.

In January, a similar car jacking happened in Essington.

A Land River Discovery was stolen after its driver stopped in Old Landywood Lane to help a woman who told him she had broken down.

In November last year, a 31-year-old Dudley College lecturer was car-jacked at knife point.

Two robbers approached the victim in King Edmund Street, Dudley, taking her keys and stealing her blue Ford Focus ST, leaving the lecturer uninjured but shaken.

Crook Lane, near to Barr Beacon, is a quiet country lane, with just a handful of houses around.

It is well used by traffic en route to the busy Sutton Road.