Woman Assaulted and Robbed During Daylight Car Test Drive
A woman in her early 30s was violently robbed on Vaughan Street near Railway Terrace, North Skelton, in broad daylight. The shocking ordeal happened around 5:13 PM on Sunday, March 30, while she was test-driving a red Audi A3.
A man allegedly attacked her, threatened her with a weapon, then stole her phone and money before speeding off in the car.
Victim Injured and Traumatised
The victim suffered injuries to her head, body, and legs. Emergency services acted fast, with Cleveland Police launching an immediate hunt for the stolen vehicle.
Officers spotted the Audi on Ormesby Road North, but the driver refused to stop, triggering a brief police chase. The car was abandoned behind Easson Street, where forensic teams are now combing it for evidence.
Two Men Arrested – But Both Released on Bail
Two men, aged 29 and 31, were arrested and questioned over the robbery. Police have since released them on bail as Redcar & Cleveland CID continue digging into the case.
Police Plea: Witnesses and Dashcam Footage Needed
Cops believe multiple vehicles were in the area at the time and have urgently called on anyone with dashcam footage or details to come forward.
“We know people were in the vicinity, and even the smallest detail could make a difference,” said a Cleveland Police spokesperson.
If you saw anything unusual on Sunday, March 30, between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM, contact Cleveland Police on 101 quoting incident reference 055508. You can also report anonymously via Crimestoppers at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or call 0800 555 111.
North Skelton Community Left Reeling
The brazen daylight attack has stunned the usually quiet village of North Skelton. Social media users voiced outrage and concern, with one saying, “This is awful—hope she’s okay and they catch whoever did this.” Another added, “North Skelton’s usually quiet. Scary to think this happened in broad daylight.”
Investigation Ongoing as Police Hunt for More Suspects
Police are still probing whether others were involved. The abandoned Audi is being thoroughly examined for forensic clues while officers review CCTV from nearby areas.
Cleveland Police vowed to crack down on violent crime and urged residents to stay alert and report suspicious activity immediately.
