Man Threatened With Gun In Robbery

7 March 2013, 17:30 | Updated: 7 March 2013, 17:37

Detectives in Luton are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a 33 year old man had what is believed to have been a gun pointed at him during a street robbery on Wednesday 6th March.

It happened at around 5.50pm as the victim was walking along the footpath close to Marsh House – which is adjacent to Sundon Park Road. He was approached by three males and one of the group asked the victim if he had a cigarette. The victim said he didn’t and at this point the offender let go of his dog – a Rottweiler - which then attacked the victim. As the man struggled with the dog, the offender pulled a handgun from the waist of his trousers, pointed it at the victim and demanded that he handed over his iPod. The victim did as he was told and the offenders fled.

The main offender is described as being a black male, in his mid-20s, around five feet seven inches tall, of slim build and with small plaits or twists in his hair. He was wearing a dark jumper with a black gilet on top and a cap. The second offender was a white male, in his mid-20s, around six feet tall, of skinny build, with brown hair and a ginger goatee beard. He was wearing a grey tracksuit – possibly with a blue Lonsdale logo. Unfortunately the victim did not get a clear view of the third male.

Detective Constable Mandy Godfree, who is investigating the robbery, is keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the attack or seen the offenders in the area.

DC Godfree said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for the victim who was by himself and genuinely feared for his life. Thankfully the victim was not injured during the attack but this could have been a far more serious incident and we must apprehend the people who committed this offence before they can commit further harm.

“I would really like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time of the robbery or anyone else who may have information – however small or insignificant they think it is – that could help us. Please don’t dismiss your information as unimportant – even tiny details which don’t seem relevant now might become useful later on in the investigation.

“While the actual threat caused by gun crime is very small and does not affect the vast majority of law abiding people within Bedfordshire, we are not complacent about the dangers posed by these weapons and would therefore urge anyone who has information about those people who carry or have access to illegal weapons to have the courage to come forward and speak to the police. With the help of the public we can rid our county of the weapons and reduce the small number of people affected by gun crime still further.”