A 17-year-old boy was stalked for more than half an hour before being mugged by two teenagers on a busy road in Oldham last week.
He was collecting a parcel for his father, but the thieves took the parcel, along with his iPod and cash.
The incident occured aroun 5.30pm outside Two Counties Petrol Station on Huddersfield Road.
Detective Constable Andrew Swettehham said: “While he was not hurt, the victim has been left badly shaken up by this experience.”
The boy was followed for half an hour by the offenders who at first stopped him to ask for the time as he passed Tesco at 5.30pm.
They continued to stalk him down Huddersfield Road and asked the boy to walk into an alleyway but he carried on walking, crossing the road to reach the Two Counties Petrol Station.
The pair then grabbed the victim, pushed him and made demands for his property. The victim tried to run away but was grabbed by the coat, causing it to rip and his iPod to fall out, which the offenders took with the money and the parcel.
“The two offenders need to be caught and we have launched a thorough investigation to trace them,” said DC Swettehham.
Both offenders were white and about 14 to 15 years old. One of the boys was about 5ft 2in tall to 5ft 4in tall, with short brown shaved hair and a black top.
The second offender was about 5ft 8in tall and of slim build. He had blonde hair and was wearing a plain green hooded top.
DC Andrew Swettehham said: “Huddersfield Road is very busy and this attack took place in daylight during the rush hour. I am sure there are people who will have seen what happened.
“We are also keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the offenders hanging around outside Tesco.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 8965 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Picture courtesy of Robin Hamman, with thanks.
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