Hunt for thug in distinctive jacket

The distinctive jacket of the attack suspect

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POLICE hope a violent robber’s distinctive jacket will be his downfall.

The thug was caught on camera after dragging a teenager to the floor by his hair before stealing money from him. Now officers hope someone will recognise the offender and ring them with his name.

The 19-year-old victim had just withdrawn money from a cash machine outside Sainsbury’s in Union Street at 10pm on Saturday, October 16. As he and a friend walked up the steps towards Union Street, the robber jumped out and pushed him in the chest.

The robber then grabbed the teenager’s hair, pulled him to the ground and put his hand into his pocket as if reaching for something before demanding the money the victim had just withdrawn. Fearing the thug would assault him while he was on the floor the victim handed over the money before breaking free. He and his friend then ran off towards Oldham Police Station.

The robber is described as white, 5ft 8in tall, aged 30 to 40 of stocky build. He had shaven brown hair with brown facial stubble, dark blue eyes, yellow teeth and he wore a grey jacket.

PC Andy Swettenham, based at Oldham Volume Crime Team, said: “The man was not injured but this robbery was horrible and frightening for him. We have been working hard to find the person responsible and now we are asking the community to help our investigation and take a look at this picture.

“The CCTV footage clearly shows the offender and I’m convinced somebody knows this individual. The jacket the man is wearing is very distinctive — if you know who owns it or have seen someone wearing something like that, please contact me.”

Anyone with information is asked to call officers in Oldham on 0161-856 9577 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555 111.