Police are appealing for information after a 72-year-old man was threatened with a hammer and a knife at his home in Bramley.
At about 7.20pm on Friday, November 25, three masked men forced their way into the victim’s flat in Leeds and Bradford Road, Bramley, near to Broadlea Grove.
They threatened him with a hammer and a knife and demanded money before searching the flat and taking a significant amount of cash that the victim had saved. An Acer laptop, Motorola mobile phone, packets of tobacco and two bottles of Irish cream liqueur were also taken.
The victim, who has an existing heart condition, was taken ill during the incident. He was checked by paramedics and admitted to hospital and remained there over the weekend before being discharged.
Checks on CCTV show that the men arrived in a small, dark-coloured hatchback car, similar to a new shape Ford Fiesta, and parked on Broadlea Grove before walking onto Leeds and Bradford Road. They are seen returning to the car a short time later carrying several carrier bags. They then drove off turning right onto Broadlea Hill.
The driver was described as white, about 5ft 5ins tall, stocky, and either bald or with very light coloured hair. He was wearing a light-coloured nylon top and tracksuit bottoms. A second male was described as white, slim, about 5ft 7ins tall, aged about 22, with dark hair that was shorter at the sides and combed over on top. He was wearing a black jumper and a bodywarmer that had a thick navy blue band at to the bottom and lighter blue elsewhere.
The third was described as white, skinny, about 5ft 5ins tall, aged about 22, with mousy brown hair. He was wearing a black padded jacket with lots of zips and grey jogging bottoms.
Detective Constable Nick Dodsworth, of Leeds District Crime Team, said:
“This was such a distressing ordeal for the victim that he was taken ill and had to be treated in hospital over the weekend. We believe these individuals have deliberately targeted him and we are keen to hear from anyone who has seen them or the vehicle in the area or who has any information that could assist the investigation.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact DC 1319 Dodsworth at Elland Road via 101 quoting crime number 13160706096 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
