Shopkeeper stabbed, robbed and kidnapped

Sep 24 2009 By James Gates, Ealing Gazette

Dallas Wine Merchants

A TERRIFIED shopkeeper was assaulted before being bundled into his van, where he was stabbed and robbed of cash and credit cards.

The 35-year-old man was then abandoned in the vehicle, after being driven from West Ealing to Southall.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which began at Dallas Wine Merchants, in The Broadway, West Ealing, between 10.15pm and 10.30pm last Thursday.

The victim, from Wembley, was attacked by three men after locking up the shop and preparing to leave. As he opened his white Mercedes Sprinter, he was approached by the men, who demanded money.

After a struggle, the shopkeeper was pushed inside the van. The robbers also got in and one of them drove it away.

One of the suspects got out of the vehicle at Grosvenor Road, Southall, while the others continued driving towards Uxbridge Road, Southall, with the victim still in the van.

During the incident, he received three minor stab wounds - two to his stomach and one to the back of his neck. He was robbed of £910 cash and various credit cards. The van stopped in Southall and the remaining robbers ran off.

The shopkeeper was later taken to Ealing Hospital for treatment. His injuries were said to be not serious.

The robbers are described as tall, black males in their late 20s. One of them was wearing a high-visibility workman's jacket.

DC Andrew Vyvyan said: "This was a planned, sustained and needlessly violent attack in which the victim was robbed, kidnapped and stabbed three times with a knife even though he gave his attackers no cause to hurt him.

"These attackers have shown that they are happy to use this level of violence. I would encourage anyone who knows anything about this matter to call the police."

Anyone with any information should contact Acton Police on 020 8721 7217 or 020 8721 7045 quoting reference 2527632/09. Alternatively, call CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.