Police are appealing for witnesses after a van stolen in a violent robbery in Rawtenstall was later found dumped in Ramsbottom alongside a burnt-out car.
Ramsbottom has become a key location in a police investigation after an incident yesterday, in which a van driver was assaulted and had his vehicle stolen by a masked gang.
The incident took place around 5.20pm at a layby on Haslingden Road (A682) in Rawtenstall, where a group of men wearing balaclavas – one armed with a wrench-type weapon – pulled the victim from his van before fleeing in the vehicle and a Volkswagen Passat.
Shortly after the robbery, both vehicles were discovered in Ramsbottom. The van was found abandoned on Stubbins Vale Road, while the Passat was discovered burnt out on Peel Brow, suggesting a coordinated effort by the offenders to dispose of the evidence.
Detective Sergeant Josh Boswell, from Lancashire Police’s East Division CID, said:
“This was a serious robbery in which a man was pulled from his van, threatened with a wrench-type weapon and his vehicle then taken.
“We are asking for anyone who witnessed this happen and for anyone who was driving in the area and has dashcam footage to contact us.
“If you saw the van or the Passat being driven or abandoned in Ramsbottom, we urge you to get in touch with us as your information could be crucial.”
Anyone with footage or information is asked to contact Lancashire Police on 101, quoting log 1109 of 22 May.
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