Four people arrested after taxi driver robbed for cash and threatened with a hammer by passengers

Northumbria Police have arrested four suspected thieves after a taxi driver was threatened with a hammer and robbed in Gateshead. At about 1.55am on Tuesday 12 May, officers received a call from a taxi driver reporting that he had been the victim of a robbery on Eastbourne Avenue in Bensham.

It was reported two passengers in his vehicle had threatened him with a hammer before making off with a quantity of cash. The driver was not injured.

Enquiries were conducted to identify and locate those involved. Officers were then able to locate two suspects on Coatsworth Road matching the description of the offenders. They were searched and one of the men was found in possession of money believed to have been taken in the robbery. The two men, aged 46 and 37, were arrested on suspicion of robbery and were taken into police custody. Further searches were also conducted at an address on Easbourne Avenue where officers found clothing matching those used by the suspects. A 38-year-old man and 34-year-old woman who were inside the address have also since been arrested and taken into custody. Chief Inspector Alan Pitchford said: “This must have been a frightening incident for the driver of the taxi and I hope the four arrests give him some reassurance. “It was an excellent response by officers in the area and that enabled them to quickly locate two men who matched the description of the thieves. “But the officers did not stop there and their searches of a nearby property has also enabled us to secure some evidence that could be vital to our investigation. “A large amount of cash has also been recovered and we will continue to work hard to ensure anyone we believe to be responsible is charged to appear in court. “There is no place for incidents of this nature in our region and we will continue to respond quickly so we can keep our communities safe.” Police are encouraging any witnesses to the incident to contact them. If you can assist the investigation then report it online at the Northumbria Police website quoting log 70 12/05/20. If you do not have access to the internet you can call 101 or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.