'Handgun' robbery in Oakridge (From Basingstoke Gazette)
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'Handgun' robbery in Oakridge
4:14pm Thursday 30th August 2012 in Local By Chris Gregory
A THUG threatened two people with a handgun when he asked them for a cigarette.
The street robbery took place between 2.30am and 3am on Thursday, August 16 in Normanton Road, Oakridge.
The victims, a 21-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman, were walking along the road when they were approached by a man who asked them for a cigarette.
They said he threatened them with what looked like a handgun before they handed him a cigarette. He then left.
Detectives are not sure whether the handgun was real or an imitation firearm.
The robber is described as white, of chubby build, and around 5ft 8ins tall. He wore a black hooded top and black tracksuit bottoms, and had short dark hair which was shaved at the sides.
He told the victims his name was Luke.
Detective Sergeant Paul Barry said: “This is a completely isolated incident where the victims have described the offender threatening them with something which resembled a handgun.
“The incident is also unusual in that the offender gave his name to the victims.”
He added that carrying a weapon, or anything that could be mistaken for a weapon, is a serious offence, and that officers have been carrying out reassurance patrols in the area.
Anyone with information can contact Det Sgt Barry at Basingstoke CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
