Police link 'frightening' York robberies
Police in York are linking a series of "frightening" knifepoint robberies.
The first victim was a 52-year-old woman who had her handbag stolen by a man on the footbridge between Leeman Road and Wilton Rise on Thursday.
On Friday, in three separate incidents, a 15-year-old boy and two men aged 24 and 40 were threatened and told to hand over cash or belongings.
Police said there were similarities in the cases and officers are appealing for help to trace the thief.
The 40-year-old man was threatened with a baseball bat at the allotments on Fulford Road at about 18:15 GMT. The robber, who took the man's wallet, also said he had a knife but did not produce one.
The 15-year-old boy was threatened with a knife and robbed of his wallet and mobile phone on a path at the side of the River Ouse between 19:30 and 20:30 GMT.
The robber was described as white, with short blond hair and was wearing a black hoodie with the hood up and riding a BMX-style bike.
The 24-year-old man was threatened by a robber who claimed to have a knife in York Road, Acomb, at about 23:00 GMT.
The victim ran off and nothing was stolen.
The suspect in that incident was described as having blond hair, was aged in his early 20s and was wearing a black T-shirt with blue writing.
As the victim ran away he passed two people who were stood near to a Barnardo's charity shop. Police urged those two people to come forward as they could have "vital information".
Det Insp Ian Dyer, of York CID, said: "We need to catch whoever is responsible for these robberies, they are frightening and cause great distress to the victims.
"Detectives are examining CCTV to try and trace the offender's movements and identify him. But we also need the public's help."