Man suspected of robbing a pensioner in Piccadilly Gardens arrested after being found hiding in a wardrobe
A man who is suspected of attacking and robbing a pensioner in Piccadilly Gardens has been arrested after being found hiding inside a wardrobe.
The 32-year-old was arrested during the early hours of yesterday morning (23 January) after officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) ‘Operation Vulcan’ Piccadilly team set out on a man-hunt in search of the suspect.
The arrest was made in connection with a robbery in Piccadilly Gardens on Monday 15 January 2024.
During the distressing incident, that took place at around 7pm, a 76-year-old man was assaulted and robbed of a quantity of cash, after it was said he came to Manchester city centre to withdraw his pension and disability benefits.
After police investigating the incident received some significant intel on the whereabouts of the potential suspect, three warrants were then executed in quick succession at Sheridan Court on Ridgewood Avenue, Isca Street in Manchester, and on Kilmington Drive in Cheetham Hill.
The suspect was arrested on suspicion of robbery after he was found by police hiding in a wardrobe at the Kilmington Drive address.
On top of this, a 36-year-old man was also arrested after drugs and ammunition were found at the address on Isca Street, but according to GMP, this additional arrest was “unconnected” to the robbery in Piccadilly Gardens.
PC Antony Rushton, of GMP’s Operation Vulcan team, called this a “cowardly” attack on a “vulnerable and elderly” man.
He continued: “I hope that our relentless pursuit of the suspect sends a strong message that anyone who comes to the Piccadilly Gardens to commit robbery, violence, or any other type of crime, will be dealt with severely.
“Operation Vulcan Piccadilly takes a zero-tolerance approach to robbery.
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“We will continue drawing on the support of GMP’s City Centre Neighbourhood Team, other force resources and dedicated partners to protect victims of crime, pursue offenders and ensure the Gardens continues to be a safe and attractive place to visit in the heart of our city.”
Featured Image – GMP