By Tatiana Aversa Sanchez
A brave delivery driver thwarted a robber who tried to steal cigarettes worth £2,400 worth of cigarettes from a delivery van driver in Brighton.
The attempted robbery happened yesterday lunchtime (Thursday 19 December) at about 12.45pm.
The delivery driver parked in Carden Crescent to walk to the Sainsbury’s store in Carden Avenue with two plastic bags containing the cigarettes.
A blue Ford Focus estate pulled up across a driveway and the passenger got out.
When the delivery driver passed by, he was struck in the back by the thief and knocked to the ground and his assailant grabbed the two bags.
Despite injuries to his head and arm, the delivery driver rose to his feet and chased the thief until he dropped the bags.
The empty-handed thief got back into the car which drove off.
He was described as a white man in his early twenties, 5ft 6in tall, broad and solidly built and clean shaven.
He was wearing a grey hoodie, with the hood over his head, and a blue coat.
There was no description of the estate car driver although he was believed to have been in an early version of the model.
Sussex Police said: “We are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen what happened or who has other information.”
Anyone with information is asked to phone Sussex Police on 101, email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk, or call the independent charity Crimestoppers free and anonymously on 0800 555111.