Man knocked over by his own van during robbery

Man knocked over by his own van during robbery

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At 12.15pm on Monday 29 December 2014 a man was run over by a thief who stole his van from a petrol station forecourt in Rochdale.

The 43-year-old man pulled up at Dean Service Station on Oldham Road,  he got out of the van and left the keys in the ignition for a few moments while he walked into the shop.

Whilst inside the thief ran towards his car, jumped in and started to drive off. The victim saw him and ran out of the shop and jumped in front of the moving van.

He was clipped by the van which drove off the forecourt towards Royton.

His assailant is described as white, wearing a grey hooded top with the hood up, he was in his late teens to early 20s, of slim build with a gaunt face,

Detective Sergeant Chris Mannion from Rochdale division, said: "This was an opportunistic robbery, the thief saw the keys left in the ignition, ran over the van and drove.

"When the victim saw what was happening he tried to protect his livelihood and ran into the path of the moving van.

"Luckily for him he was not badly hurt, but that doesn't take away the fact he had his van stolen with equipment in the back.

"A few days later the van was found though its tracker on Mellor Street in Royton, the thief had stolen a laptop and abandoned the van.

"If you recognise the man from the CCTV footage or have any formation about who may have committed this crime, please contact us as soon as possible."

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0161 856 8549 or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.