Four people are in custody after a man was threatened and had his car stolen last night

At around 8pm last night (Thursday 8 December) GMP were called to reports of a robbery in Oldham. Officers attended the scene and established that a group of males had attacked a 75-year-old man, threatened him with a weapon, before stealing his keys and driving off in his vehicle.

At approximately 11:30am this morning (Friday 9 December) specialist officers from GMP’s Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit (TVIU) quickly intercepted the stolen vehicle, with the suspects inside.

Two men aged 18 and 30 and two juveniles aged 16 and 17 have been arrested on suspicion of robbery. They remain in custody for questioning.

Speaking to officers, the victim has said: “I’m a 75-year-old man who was minding my own business and I have been attacked by a group of men who wanted my car.  I was outnumbered and terrified.  They punched and kicked me until I fell on the floor and then they started kicking me in the head. 

“I only gave them my car keys when they threatened me with a saw.  I’ve never been as scared in my life. These people could kill someone. 

“I just want to say that the officers from GMP have been amazing with me.  The officers who came to see me last night were really good – they wanted to make sure I was ok.  I was over the moon when I spoke to the TVIU officers today, especially when they told me they had found my car and arrested four people for attacking me.  Although I’m in a lot of pain, I feel a lot safer today.”

Sergeant Nick Bamber, from GMP’s Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit said: “This was great work by the team, and I’m extremely pleased we were able to return the gentleman’s vehicle to him.  

"I would like to reassure the public that in cases such as this, where extreme violence is used against innocent members of the community, the Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit will stop at nothing to hunt down those responsible and bring them to justice”.

Anyone with information about car thefts or anyone who believes suspicious activity is taking place at premises can call 101 or alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.