A 15-year-old boy has been left shaken after being robbed of his iPhone by a group of four masked youths close to a busy railway station in the West Midlands.
Attack on the Way to the Station
The incident occurred at around 9pm on Monday, December 1, as the teenager was walking to catch a train. He was on his way from his father's home in Sutton Coldfield to his mother's address in Lichfield via the town's main railway station.
He had just walked from Garrard Gardens and was on Railway Road, near the station car park, when he was set upon. His father, Lee Sykes, described how his son heard the group approaching, shouting "yo bro", before they swiped the phone from his hand.
Father's Pursuit and Community Concern
"He ran back down to my house and I drove up and caught one of them," Mr Sykes told BirminghamLive. The stolen item was an iPhone X.
The 42-year-old father, who is ex-forces, expressed deep concern about safety in the area. "I think it's disgusting at the moment. Even as an adult around this city, you can't get your phone out," he said. "It's more worrying walking around Birmingham than in Iraq or Afghanistan."
He confirmed his son was left 'shaky' following the frightening ordeal, which involved four individuals described as wearing hoodies with coverings over their faces.
Police Investigation and Appeal
West Midlands Police confirmed they are investigating the robbery. A spokesperson said: "Shortly after 9pm on December 1, the boy was approached by a group in Railway Road, who stole his phone and left the area."
The force also confirmed a significant development in the case: A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbery. He has been released on bail with strict conditions while enquiries continue.
Officers are urging anyone with information to come forward. The crime reference number is 20/462205/25. Information can be reported by calling 101.
