Have-a-go hero foils armed robber in Stourbridge
A have-a-go hero father foiled a hooded armed robber who attacked a woman motorist in a posh sports car – wrestling the crook to the ground twice and forcing him to drop the cash he had just stolen.
Police have praised the 23-year-old man, from Kinver, for putting the robber to flight after stepping in despite having his partner and his three children in the back of his car.
Passers-by watched in horror as two men – one armed with a knife – opened the door of a 56-year-old woman's red Porsche Boxster outside the Post Office at the junction of Hungary Hill and Junction Road, Stourbridge, on Saturday.
They demanded that she hand over the keys and stole a bag from the passenger seat, containing a large amount of cash.
A 13-year-old boy, who saw what was happening, raised the alarm and flagged down a passing motorist driving a people carrier.
The motorist raced to the woman's aid, dragged one of the two men out of the Porsche and scuffled with him on the ground.
The culprit broke free and ran off but the have-a-go hero gave chase and wrestled him to the ground yet again.
But he could not hang on to the robber, who fled after a tussle, dropping a bag containing a large quantity of cash that he had grabbed from the woman's passenger seat, as well as her car keys.
A 67-year-old woman who saw the drama, who does not wish to be named, said: "The man deserves an award for what he did – he was very brave. The baddie was in the red sports car, trying to pull the woman's handbag away, and this young man, probably in his mid 20s, got out of his car. He pulled the baddie out on to the floor but he ran off.
"There was a bit of a chase to the bridge in Junction Road, where he caught him again.
"But he couldn't hold on to the baddie, who had his nose and mouth covered by a black hood and wore dark clothes.
"The baddie – that's the only thing I can call him – ran off just as the police arrived."
Police yesterday arrested a 31-year-old man from Wordsley on suspicion of being involved in the robbery. He continues to help police with their inquiries.
Dc Bobby Khan, of Sandwell CID, said: "We would like to praise the actions of the teenager and passing motorist. Thanks to the intervention the woman was fortunately unhurt."
