Driver pistol-whipped at Thrybergh bottle bank by car thieves

The incident occurred on Doncaster Road at a bottle bank close to Foster's Garden Centre at around 12.45am on Monday (July 9).

The 42-year-old victim had parked his black Vauxhall Zafira at the bottle bank when he was approached by five men wearing balaclavas, said a police spokeswoman.

He was threatened with a firearm and demanded he hand over his car keys.

Det Con Christian Dixon said: “One of the suspects is said to have threatened the victim with a firearm, hitting him over the head with it, leaving him with substantial cuts to his head.

“The victim then ran from the area, heading towards Herringthorpe.

“As he left the area, he reports hearing shots fired. He was not injured as a result of the firearm discharge. 

“The offenders took the man’s car during the incident and enquiries are ongoing to try and identify them and trace the vehicle.

“I fully appreciate this incident will cause concern amongst the local community and I’d like to reassure them that this investigation is an absolute priority for us. 

“Enquiries in the area continue and we will be carrying out a CCTV trawl over the coming days as we work to gather evidence and identify those involved. 

“What I would like to ask is that anyone who heard anything suspicious, or who has any information, to get in contact with us.” 

If anyone has any information call 101 quoting incident number 44 of July 9. 

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.