car theft?

[WillowTheWhisp]

For (apparently) using an offensive weapon he should get a custodial sentence.

[mani]

u know thats scary

i think it was last thurs i was drivin ot work at around half 6 and i was just gettin from wellington street onto manchester road nr the police station and a black focus shot right infront of me coming out of nuttal street - and i'm a fast driver as it is so even i was suprised - it was indeedy a ST model as i was impressed and thought wow that guy's flooring it if i can remember correctly so i took a right past the police station on grange lane and i thought i'll b able to get infront of them as they took a right on manchester road.

but they were even faster than me and i didnt "overtake" them and they were ahead

pretty sure they headed off towards rising bridge and hte m66 but they didnt go on the m66 towards manchester as i wud've deffo raced them on it. i'm ususally runnin late for work so i speed up on the way there i cant remember correctly but i think they either went into the shell petrol station or headed off another way before it.

but its so vague i probably thinkin of some other crazy driver.

but i couldnt be sure if it was a thurs that i saw this.

[mani]

A GUN-weilding gang posing as car buyers are being hunted after a series of incidents - in Accrington and across the North West.

Two men stole a black Ford Focus that was being offered for private sale in Accrington after holding gun to the owner's head.

Police said the incident is being linked to another robbery in Bolton the night before and another incident in Warrington.
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And it is thought that the offences maybe the work of the same gang, which is also believed to have carried out other similar robberies.

On Thursday night two men held a gun to the head of a 38-yar-old woman who was offering her Ford Focus for sale in Barnfield Street, Accrington.

They were test driving the vehicle just before 6pm when, as the car reached the junction of Adelaide Street and Manchester Road, one of the men produced what police believe to be a pistol.

The woman fled from the car and the men sped off along Manchester Road towards Baxenden.

On Wednesday a 61-year-old man had a firearm pressed into the back of his head when giving a test drive to three men in his son's Audi A3 in Bolton.

They then forced him to get out of the car about 500 yards from his home.

Detectives hunting the gang believe the men arrived at the house in a red Vauxhall Astra SXi which was stolen earlier in the day from a woman near Warrington in similar circumstances.

Det Sgt Mick Cross, of Accrington police, said: "The Accrington attack was an extremely distressing incident for the woman concerned and whilst she hasn't suffered any serious physical injuries she has been left extremely traumatised.

"We would like to speak to anybody who may have seen a black Ford Focus, with distinctive alloy wheels, in the Barnfield Street area or speeding off along Manchester Road. In addition, we would also like to speak to anybody who may have seen a silver Audi in the same areas at the same time."

He said similar robberies have been carried out in Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "The same men, we believe, carried out a number of very similar robberies and it is clear that they are prepared to threaten violence."

Anybody with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 5645 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Detectives have arrested a 26-year-old man in Rochdale on suspicion of robbery in connection with the robbery in Accrington.

Test Drive Car Robbers Strike Across The North West (from Lancashire Telegraph)

[mani]

hmmmmmmm the location from that is close by but my timings dont fit in. i dont think i left work early that thurs either. and i saw the car coming from the opposite side to barnfield street. so in theory they lingered around for 30 mins?

[WillowTheWhisp]

as the car reached the junction of Adelaide Street and Manchester Road, one of the men produced what police believe to be a pistol.

This is the bit that gets me - so close to the police station! Mind you, there probably weren't any police in there. Not like the olden days.