A man has attempted three robberies in Horsforth on the same day, with the police now launching a search.
West Yorkshire Police say the man first attempted to rob a Subway in New Road Side, just after 8pm on Thursday, December 12. He pushed the lone staff member into the kitchen and demanded she opened the safe while threatening her.
A delivery driver walked in and confronted the suspect, who then punched the driver in the face before fleeing empty handed.
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At around 8.30pm, the same man entered the Morrisons Daily in Broadgate Lane, at which point he attempted to climb on the counter screen, while shouting, “this is a robbery”. He attempted to enter the storeroom but was blocked by staff. The man then left the store without taking anything.
The man caught on CCTV after three attempted robberies in Horsforth
(Image: West Yorkshire Police)
After going outside, he went up to a woman who had just parked outside and demanded her car keys, attempting to grab them from her. He was unable to and ran up Broadgate Lane towards Town Street.
He was described as white and around 25 years old. He wore a black puffer coat, black trousers, a black balaclava, black gloves and was carrying a large black cross-body bag.
His face was covered but parts of his clothing may be recognisable to those who saw him in the area around the time of the attempted robberies. West Yorkshire Police said: “The man first struck at Subway, in New Road Side, shortly after 8pm on Thursday, December 12.
“He pushed the lone female member of staff into the kitchen area and made threats and demanded she open the safe.
The man caught on CCTV after three attempted robberies in Horsforth
(Image: West Yorkshire Police)
“A delivery driver then entered the store and confronted the suspect who punched the driver in face and left the scene empty handed. At about 8.30pm, the same suspect entered the Morrisons Daily, in Broadgate Lane, and attempted to climb over the counter screen shouting, “This is a robbery”.
“He was blocked from entering a storeroom by staff and left the store without taking anything. He then approached a woman who had just parked outside. He demanded her car keys and tried to grab them from her but failed and ran off up Broadgate Lane towards Town Street.”
If you have any information, you can contact the police by calling 101, or by going online here, quoting reference number 13240676488.