Takeaway driver threatened by hooded gunman

Mar 7 2008 by Ben Glaze, South Wales Echo

A HOODED gunman today threatened to shoot a takeaway driver on a city estate.

The victim, a delivery driver for a restaurant in City Road, Roath, Cardiff, had a knife held to his throat in Westonbirt Close, St Mellons.

He arrived at 2.45am with curries, burgers and drinks, but returned to his blue Suzuki Swift car when the householders said they had not ordered food.

Moments later, three hooded men ran to the vehicle and the terrified victim locked the doors.

One man ran to the passenger’s door and began pulling at the top while his accomplice ran to the driver’s door and pointed what the victim believes was a nine-inch-long black pistol. The gunman threatened to shoot and kill the driver, who unlocked the doors and got out.

A third man then held a large lock knife to the man’s neck and ordered him to turn around with his hands up while the attackers rifled through his pockets.

The victim handed over his mobile phone before being punched in the stomach and back when he also surrendered his wallet containing a wad of cash.

The robbers also took the car’s Tom Tom satellite navigation system and food before fleeing into nearby woods.

Before the incident, the restaurant had called the phone number from where the order was placed and a woman confirmed she wanted curries and burgers.

Police today launched a manhunt to trace those responsible.

The victim described all three men as white, aged about 25, 5ft 10ins tall, skinny and with their hooded tops pulled up.

Inside the victim’s stolen wallet was cash in £20, £10 and £5 notes and 15 Kuwait Dinars. His driving licence, national insurance card and credit cards were also stolen. Witnesses were today urged to contact Llanedeyrn CID on 01656 65555 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 1111.

ben.glaze@mediawales.co.uk