Image released following robbery

Image of a man following a robbery in Rochdale

Police have released the image of a man following a robbery in the Kingsway area.

A 40-year-old Rochdale man placed an advert on the internet for his silver Toyota Yaris on Tuesday 7 January 2014.

The next day, he received a phone call from a man who claimed he wanted to see the car. He gave him his address and the man arrived in the Kingsway area at around 6pm.

When the man asked could he take the car for a test drive, the owner agreed and both got inside.

He took it for a short drive before pulling up at Dodgson Street with its junction with Jones Street. The offender told the man that his phone was ringing before he pulled out a knife and demanded he got out of the car.

The man then drove off along Dodgson Street and in the direction of Crawford Street.

He is described as being white, in his mid 20s to 30s, 5ft 4in tall, of large build, wore dark jogging pants, dark jacket , black woollen hat and spoke with a local accent.

Detective Constable Hannah Greetham based at Rochdale police station said: “We have now obtained an image of a man we would like to speak to in connection with this robbery. I would ask people to take a good look at the picture and if they recognise him, contact police as soon as possible.

“The car has not yet been recovered and I would ask anyone who may have seen the vehicle with an SC59 registration or witnessed the man take it to contact police.”

Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 8552 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.