Detectives investigating a Nottinghamshire street robbery are seeking to identify a key witness.
A 59-year-old woman was walking to work through Kirkby-in-Ashfield town centre when she was approached by a man who demanded her rucksack.
When she refused, the man punched her in the face, causing her to fall to the floor. He then took her rucksack which contained her bank card, bus pass, water bottle, Samsung phone, umbrella, and £60 cash.
The victim managed to get to work and police were called.
Officers searched the area and carried out inquiries into the robbery, which happened in Lowmoor Road at about 5 am on Thursday 25 January 2024.
They arrested a suspect around 40 minutes later after a brief foot chase.
Detective Sergeant Matt Scott, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
“This was a callous and cowardly robbery on a vulnerable woman who was assaulted before falling to the ground.
“She suffered facial injuries and pain to her knee as a result of this attack.
“As well as her physical injuries, this frightening incident has also caused her significant mental stress.
“Shortly before she was robbed, the victim spoke to a man she knows as ‘Steve’.
“I would like to stress, he is not a suspect, but he may be a key witness who has vital information which could assist our investigation. I am appealing for him to please come forward and speak to us as soon as possible.
“We’d also like to hear from anyone else who was in the area around the time of this incident, and has any relevant information, or who may have captured CCTV, dashcam or mobile phone footage that could aid us with our ongoing inquiries.”
Anyone with information is urged to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 67 of 25 January 2024, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in custody.
