News and appeals for witnesses

Northern Briefing: August 17 2004 - Robbery at Rugby; Industrial Accident at Coleshill; Burglary at Rugby; Burglary Fillongley

August 16 - Robbery at Rugby
A 77 year old woman was assaulted and robbed yesterday morning as she walked along Clifton Rd in Rugby around 0900 hours. The woman was walking along the path when a car, believed to be a black Metro, stopped alongside her. A man got out and shouted at the woman to give him her bag. He then punched her causing her to fall to the ground. He grabbed the bag, got back into the car and the car was driven away towards Clifton. A black Metro car, believed to have been previously stolen from Rugby and thought to have been used in the robbery, was later found parked in Skiddaw, Brownsover, Rugby.

The woman who received injuries to her head was treated at St Cross Hospital for concussion, cuts and bruises. The lady was transferred to the Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry, where she has remained overnight.

DC Anita Ashwood, office in charge of the investigation said: "This was a nasty attack on an elderly lady who was just going about her business on a Monday morning. The robbery occurred alongside a busy road and may have been witnessed by car drivers or other pedestrians walking nearby. I would like to talk to anyone who witnessed the attack, or who saw a black Metro being driven in the area before the attack. Someone may also have seen the car being abandoned in Brownsover between 0900 and 1216 hours."

Anyone who can help DC Ashwood with her enquiries, is asked to call Rugby CID on 01788 541111 extn 3785.

August 16 - Industrial Accident at Coleshill
A 27 year old man from Solihull was taken to the Heartlands Hospital yesterday morning after a spark from a Fork Lift truck battery hit him in the face causing serious damage to his left eye. The accident was reported to Police at 11:22 and Health and Safety officials were called to the scene at a company in Edison Rd., Coleshill.

August 16 - Burglary at Rugby
Police are appealing for witnesses to a burglary at a house in Houston Rd., which happened sometime during the past three weeks. The owner, who had been away from the house whilst caring for someone who is ill, returned to his home to find his television, video recorder, music system, videos and the telephone missing. The man had to borrow a mobile telehone to alert Police to the burglary.

Anyone who can help Police with the enquiries is asked to call either Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or Rugby CID on 01788 541111.

August 10 - Burglary at Fillongley
PC Gemma Hanlon would like to hear from anyone who witnessed a burglary at Holbeche Crescent, Fillongley between August 1 and August 10. Several items were stolen: two solid gold St Christopher - one with a 24 inch gold chain - value £207 and one with a 22 inch gold chain - value £100; a Playstation 2; nine Playstation games; a quantity of glasses valued at £154; a stonecutting petrol driven Stihl TS400 tool - valued at £522 and a Nokia 3310e mobile phone. £150 cash was also stolen whilst the owner was away on holiday.

Anyone who may have seen the large quantity of goods being taken from the house or who may have seen someone acting suspiciously in the area, is asked to call PC Hanlon on 01675 464 444, extn 3564.