Thug forced pensioner to drive through Black Country before stealing his car

He also demanded cash from the 78-year-old man before leaving him in a street in Willenhall.

The man surprised his victim by getting into the passenger seat of his Rover 45 as he went to leave Asda in Tipton between 3am and 3.30am.

He threatened the pensioner, who handed over the £15 he had on him during the journey, and ordered him to drive to Hill Top, West Bromwich, where he was told to swap seats.

The robber, described as white, in his 30s, 5ft 8ins tall and wearing a light-coloured jumper, then drove to Harvesters Road, Willenhall, and told the elderly man to get out before driving off.

Police are now investigating whether the crime, which happened on December 17, could be linked to a similar attack in Wednesbury earlier this month when a delivery driver was threatened at knife-point.

He was returning to his grey Toyota Avensis on Whitley Street at around 7.30pm when he was approached by two men asking for a lift to the bus station.

The driver declined but the men then got into his car, threatened him with a knife and ordered him to drive towards Willenhall.

A short time later, they ordered the driver to stop and swap places with him, before driving to Dibble Close where they got out and ran off.

During the journey, the men – both white with one described as being in his 30s, wearing a grey jumper with a spider tattoo on his neck and the other as being of a large build and wearing a black jumper – stole the victim's watch and a small amount of cash.

Detective Sergeant Ed Trimbee, of West Midlands Police, said: "Robberies like this – where drivers are targeted in their cars – are unusual and thankfully, neither victim was hurt.

"These are serious offences though and we are determined to catch those responsible. We really need the public's help to get these robbers off the streets.

"There's a possibility these offences may be linked and we are keen to hear from anyone who may have noticed a blue Rover 45, 02 reg, which is unfamiliar to them, turn up on their street in the last few days.

"We'd also like to hear from anyone who might recognise the identity of the men in the December 11 offence from the description given – particularly the man with the distinctive spider tattoo on his neck."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.