3:23PM, Sun Sep 9, 2012

Motorbike Duo Armed With Knives Suspected Of Stealing Spree

By Ruth Holliday Location: Heaton and Gateshead

Police are hunting a pair of knife-wielding, motorbike-riding thieves they suspect of committing four crimes in the same day.

The first happened on Fifth Avenue in Heaton, Newcastle, at around 9am on Saturday September 8.

A woman reported two men wearing motorbike helmets and carrying knives walking into the house before leaving and trying another door upstairs.

They rode off on a black, red and white Suzuki bike. Nothing was stolen and no-one was injured.

About 45 minutes later in Crawcrook, Gateshead, workmen on Barmoor Terrace were approached by two men on a motorbike who grabbed a Stihl saw before riding off.

At 10.40am the same morning a handbag was snatched from the handles of a buggy in the MetroCentre yellow car park, again by two men on a motorbike.

And at 11.30am two suspects on a bike approached a car parked in Derwent Walk, Rowlands Gill, and stole a laptop from the back seat while the driver was in the front.

The men abandoned the bike and ran off in the direction of Blaydon.

Officers say they believe the incidents are linked.

One man was wearing a white top, black trousers, white trainers and had a dark back pack. His helmet was white, blue and red.

The second man was wearing white trainers, black trousers and a black jacket with a Newcastle United shirt underneath. His helmet was black.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Northumbria Police on 101 ext 69191 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.