Hunt for masked robber who killed couple’s Norfolk terrier in violent struggle as he ripped watch from man’s arms before repeatedly punching him in the face
- The thug attacked the couple in Spanish Place, Westminster, in August
- Woman was aggressively pushed to the floor and landed on her dog Rufus
- Male chased thug afterwards even though he had been punched repeatedly
A masked robber who killed a couple’s Norfolk terrier during a violent mugging in which he also ripped a watch from the male victim’s arm is being hunted by police.
The thug was pushing his bicycle on a pavement in Westminster, central London, when he attacked the couple, a 56-year-old man and his wife, 36, while they were walking their two dogs in August.
In a violent struggle, the thug ripped the man’s watch from his forearm, causing scratches.
After trying to intervene to get the robber off of her husband, the woman was aggressively pushed to the floor and landed on one of her dogs, Rufus, which died shortly afterwards.
CCTV images released by police show the man wearing a cap on his head, a turquoise sweater, dark tracksuit bottoms and a rucksack.
A masked robber who killed a couple’s Norfolk terrier during a violent mugging in Westminster, central London, in which he also ripped a watch from the male victim’s arm is being hunted by police
The two men continued to grapple and the victim was repeatedly punched in the face.
But despite his injuries and the shock of the attack, the victim then chased the thug as he tried to escape through Manchester Square, Westminster, after the initial attack in Spanish Place.
The husband was then punched in the face again on Hinge Street after catching up with the thug.
Finally, the brutal robber fled on his bike through Duke Street towards Selfridges.
After trying to intervene to get the robber off of her husband, the woman was aggressively pushed to the floor and landed on one of her dogs, Rufus, which died shortly afterwards
The distraught couple were then taken to a vet’s by police where they had to say goodbye to their dog.
Detective Inspector Lee Hannant, West Area Command Unit said: ‘This was an unprovoked and unacceptable attack that has left the victims shocked and upset.
‘The attack has led to the needless death of the victims’ well-loved dog.
‘I’d ask anyone who recognises the man in the image released today to get in touch.
‘If you know what happened, or even if you think you saw anything suspicious or out of place, please call us without delay and report what you know.