Police hunt fancy dress street robbers
Police are hunting for a gang of robbers who have been wearing fancy dress when carrying out their attacks in Northamptonshire.
Late on Saturday night and in the early hours of Sunday morning there were four robberies in Kettering, Burton Latimer and Wellingborough.
Officers believe three of the robberies are linked and are investigating whether the final one in Burton Latimer is also linked.
The first took place in Athalstan Road, Kettering, at 11pm on Saturday. An 18-year-old man was stopped by two males who told him to hand over his cash.
One then punched him, and a mobile phone and a small amount of cash was taken.
The first offender was white, aged 20 to 30, 6ft tall, of medium build, with stubble. He wore a hood, a black and white horizontal stripped top and dark trousers. The second man was white, a bit shorter than the first offender and a bit younger. The victim also heard a female voice during the incident.
Police believe the second incident took place in Church Street, Burton Latimer, at 12.50am on Sunday when a 16-year-old boy was set upon by five offenders. His head was kicked and stamped on and a female who was part of the group also punched him.
He suffered swelling to his face and attended Kettering General Hospital.
In the third incident, the victim was walking past a white car parked at the side of the road in Avondale Mews, Kettering, when five people got out of the car. He was punched to the ground and kicked to the head, face and body.
He managed to get up and run away but was caught and attacked again. Two of the men were wearing Hawaiian shirts.
The offenders, who were all wearing fancy dress, took a small amount of cash and a CD. The victim received a broken arm, stitches to his head and a very swollen head and face.
The next incident took place at about 1am in Harrowden Road, Wellingborough, when the 29-year-old victim was on his way home.
He was just outside his home when he was approached and punched by two males, one ofwearing a builder's hard hat. They searched the victim, who handed over 2. They also took his bank cards and a mobile phone.
Detective Chief Inspector on the Northamptonshire North Police Area, Andy Cox, said: "We take robberies very seriously and we will work very hard to make sure the people who have committed these incidents are brought to justice.
"Northamptonshire Police would like to reassure residents in these areas that we will be stepping up our patrols in the affected areas.
"We are also constantly exploring long-term solutions, along with our partners on local authorities, such as CCTV and Smartwater and street lighting.
"I can guarantee that we will do everything in our power to catch these people and if we do it is likely that they will go to prison."
Police are appealing for anyone who saw anything during all of these incidents to contact them on 08453 700700 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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