
A private hire driver was left fleeing for his life after three teenagers threatened him at knifepoint during a terrifying attempted robbery in Teesside.
The ordeal began at around 8:15pm on Thursday, October 22, when three young men boarded a red Toyota Prius PHV in Billingham. As the vehicle was travelling along Marsh House Avenue, the passengers suddenly shouted at the driver, demanding that he pull over and hand over his keys.
The situation escalated when "one suspect then pulled out a knife and pressed it against the driver’s shoulder." Acting quickly, the driver managed to escape from the vehicle while retaining his keys, but he was chased along Rochester Road by the suspects before they eventually gave up the pursuit. Leaving his car at the scene, the driver ran to a nearby property where a member of the public raised the alarm.
Cleveland Police have launched an investigation and are appealing for witnesses or anyone with relevant CCTV footage to step forward. Officers described the suspects as white males, approximately 5ft tall, of slim build, and believed to be around 16 to 17 years old.
Anyone who holds information regarding the incident is urged to contact Cleveland Police on 101, quoting reference number 211852.

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