Hitchhiker knifepoint kidnap
A motorist was kidnapped at knifepoint and tied up after picking up a hitchhiker on a Shropshire road. The 51-year-old driver was driving to work yesterday through the village of Wall under Heywood, near Church Stretton, when he stopped to offer a lift to a hitchhiker.
The 51-year-old driver was driving to work yesterday morning through the village of Wall under Heywood, near Church Stretton, when he stopped to offer a lift to a hitchhiker.
Police said the hitchhiker, a man in his late 20s or early 30s, said he was going to Shrewsbury. But on reaching the traffic lights at the A49 crossroads in Church Stretton, he pulled a "Bowie-type" knife from his jacket and threatened the driver.
He ordered the driver to turn left towards Ludlow, travelling about 14 miles, before the motorist was told to pull over into a lay-by.
Investigating officer, Acting Detective Sergeant Mark Dingley, said the man then told the driver to get into the back seat where his hands were tied behind his back.
He said: "He was then forced onto the floor between the front and rear seats, after which the offender made off on foot."
The driver remained there for about two hours before passing motorists heard his shouts.
Although badly shocked, the victim was not injured and did not require hospital treatment. Police want to hear from anyone who saw the victim's car - an M-registered Renault 19 - parked in the lay-by on the A49 Ludlow bypass between 11.15am and 1.40pm yesterday.
The hitchhiker was picked up near the public telephone kiosk in Wall under Heywood at around 10.30am. He had short mousey brown hair with a "gelled" fringe.
