Two drive-by muggings took place on Tuesday 6th October, leaving a Leeds University fresher with multiple injuries.
It has been reported that a man driving a black Renualt Clio along Little Woodhouse Lane grabbed the bag of a 22-year-old woman walking along the pavement, before attempting to drive off with it.However, the woman managed to hold on to her bag and the man drove off.
Just minutes later 18-year-old Sadie Fox, a first year media and communications student, had her bag grabbed by the driver of the same car as she was walking along Victoria Terrace in Hyde Park.
She was dragged along the ground as the car sped off due to her hand being caught in the strap of her bag, leaving her with cuts and bruises to her legs. She was only freed when the driver swerved and she collided with a parked vehicle, allowing the thief to make an escape in the direction of Belle Vue Road.
The car was stolen from Dewsbury Road in Beeston earlier that day, and the driver is described as white, slim, male in his twenties, with short, fair hair and wearing a dark jumper or coat.
Fox, who moved to Leeds from Solihull three weeks ago, has said: “He put his foot down and the next thing I knew I was being dragged along the ground because my hand was caught in the strap. “He must have been going about 50mph, my legs were bumping up and down and I was screaming. I was just trying to keep my head up. …I could see this Range Rover coming towards me. At that point I thought I was going to die.”
Detective Inspector Dave McDougal, of Leeds District Neighbourhood Crime Team, said: “The victim that was dragged down the road was left very badly shaken by what happened and clearly the consequences could have been much worse. We are conducting extensive enquiries to trace the person responsible and we would like to hear from anyone who has any information that could assist the investigation.”
Talking to The Gryphon, PC Matt Guy has said: “Can I stress that this is the first robbery of this nature I have heard of in Leeds. Our Leeds community need to be aware of it and take sensible precautions but I do want this single, and at this point unique crime, making anyone change the way they live their lives.” Anyone with information is asked to contact the neighbourhood crime team at Weetwood Police Station via 101 or alternitviely conact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
Jessica Murray
(Image: Wikipedia)