Man arrested after taxi theft and string of robberies across Stoke-on-Trent
Police say a man was stabbed in the arm during a series of incidents on Thursday afternoon
A man has been arrested following a string of robberies and thefts across Stoke-on-Trent, during which a man was stabbed in the arm and a taxi was stolen.
Staffordshire Police were called to Elmsmere Road in Abbey Hulton at around 3.15pm yesterday (Thursday 23 October) after reports that a man had pulled a knife on a taxi driver. The victim managed to get out of the vehicle, which was then driven off by the suspect.
Around ten minutes later, officers received another report of a robbery at a petrol station on Ruxley Road, Bucknall. During the incident, a member of staff was stabbed in the arm. The suspect is believed to have fled the scene in the stolen taxi, taking vapes and cigarettes.
The victim suffered a minor injury and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Shortly before 3.35pm, police were called again — this time to a report of a theft at TK Maxx on Foundry Street, Hanley. Officers arrested a man at the scene, where a knife was recovered during a search. One officer was spat at during the arrest.
The stolen taxi has since been recovered and seized for forensic examination.
A 31-year-old man from Stoke-on-Trent has been arrested on suspicion of robbery, theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a knife in a public place, and assault by beating of an emergency worker. He remains in custody and will be questioned by police.
Staffordshire Police are continuing their investigations.