Stewart Park robbery: Police establish image of man they want to speak to

Police have established an image of a man they want to speak to after a teenager was threatened with a knife and robbed.

Alex Bowman, 14, was threatened in Stewart Park at around 6.30pm on Saturday, and fearing for his life he gave up his £600 Cube mountain bike.

Coulby Newham and South Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Police Team issued a statement on their Facebook page to say inquiries have lead to an image of a man being created.

However, the image will not be released until investigations are complete.

The statement read: “The police have conducted inquiries into the crime and have established an image of a male they would like to speak to about this offence.

“Clearly this is in the hands of CID to locate the male, interview and confirm any involvement in the incident.

“Once completed we will let the public know the conclusion.”

Speaking after the attack, Alex, a Nunthorpe Academy student, said: “I am still in shock. I was terrified. As soon as I saw the knife, I just left my bike and got away as fast as I could.”

He had been with a friend riding through the park when he heard a “popping sound”.

“The next thing I knew, someone skidded on a bike in front of us which forced us to stop and then he got off and told me to give him the bike,” he said.

“I tried to grab hold of the frame, but then he pulled the knife out so I just let him take it.”

Alex with the bike stolen at knifepoint on Saturday night in Stewart Park

Alex, who lives with dad Robert in Marton, said as he left another man appeared and the pair made off with his bike.

“He was wearing a blue Adidas jacket with a white chunk on the chest, and he had a grey scarf over his face. He was maybe 19 or 20, and he had a deep voice,” continued Alex.

“He had matching tracksuit bottoms and white trainers. I didn’t really see the second one, as it all happened so fast.

The bike - a lime green Cube mountain bike with black mud guards - had been a Christmas treat and allowed Alex to ride with friends to Great Ayton and Redcar.

Police are now appealing for witnesses to the incident, or anyone who may have seen the distinctive bike or been offered one for sale.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

To donate towards a replacement bike, visit http://bit.ly/1CyCafo