Crimewatch Appeal After Vicious Assault in West Ealing

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Shop worker stabbed and robbed during terrifying attack

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service appeared on BBC Crimewatch (Thursday 25 February) to appeal for information following a robbery in Ealing in September 2009.

The appeal was accompanied by a full reconstruction of the incident and an interview with the victim, to prompt anyone with information to come forward.

DCI Stuart Ryan of Ealing CID said:

"This was a particularly vicious assault which had the potential to have a very different ending. The suspects threatened the victim throughout his ordeal and he was terrified for his safety. We believe this was a pre-planned attack and would ask anyone with information to come forward and speak to police in confidence."

The victim of the assault, Ravinder Virdi, 35, said:

"I was very frightened and didn't understand what the men wanted with me or why they targeted me. I was bleeding heavily after they stabbed me and begged them to take me to a hospital for treatment. If you know who did this, or why, please tell the police."

The victim locked up the Dallas Liquor Mart shop on Broadway, West Ealing, W13 where he worked, at approximately 22.15hrs on Thursday 17 September 2009.

His van was parked in the yard behind the shop, as he walked around the corner to the van he noticed three men wearing high-visibility jackets walking along Coldershaw Road W13.

Mr Virdi was about to get into his van when two of the men ran up behind him and pulled him back. The victim struggled to get away and one of the suspects stabbed him before a third suspect arrived and helped the other two overpower him. They then demanded that he get into the van and got inside with him.

The men are described as black, aged 24-25 years, approximately 5ft 10in - 6ft tall with black hair. Did you see these men that night? Did they have a vehicle? Did you see them in the area prior to the assault or in the days leading up to it?

Suspect One then drove the van left onto Coldershaw Road and right into Hatfield Road where they stopped the van and demanded money from the victim. They removed approximately £900 cash from his coat and his wallet. The money was heavily bloodstained due to the injuries he had sustained. One of the suspects then got out of the van and did not return.

Did you see this man in Hatfield Road, where did he go? Did he have a vehicle parked in the road? Or have you been given heavily blood stained £20 notes by someone?

The van drove off again right into Grosvenor Road W7 and left onto the Uxbridge Road. As the victim tried to attract the attention of a passer-by he was pushed into the footwell of the van and threatened with the knife again.

They continued to drive for approximately ten minutes to Poplar Avenue, Southall where the remaining two suspects parked the van up and ran off, leaving the victim inside still bleeding heavily from his injuries. He was able to ring 999 from his mobile and direct ambulance and police to where he
was.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Incident Room on 020 8721 7030; if you wish to remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

 

 

February 26th, 2010