Man arrested after 6 city center robberies leave victims with brutal injuries

A teenager has been arrested in connection with a series of violent street robberies in Leeds.

West Yorkshire Police confirmed that a 19-year-old man was arrested following reports of six robberies in the town center on Tuesday.

In one incident, which took place on Sunday June 30, a 53-year-old man was repeatedly punched in the face before his belongings were stolen while waiting for a taxi on Merrion Street.

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CCTV shows the man’s attacker snatching his phone and slamming it to the ground. He repeatedly punched the victim in the face as he removed his watch from his wrist before taking it and leaving the scene with the man’s phone and leather jacket.

In another incident a The 39-year-old suffered facial injuries, including missing teeth, when he was punched to the ground from behind in Fish Street at around 4.47am on Monday 8 July. His wallet, phone and keys were taken.

Similarly, a 19-year-old man was knocked down and left with fractures to his eye socket and cheekbones, as well as a dislocated jaw that may require surgery, when he was attacked by one of the two suspects in St Alban’s Place.

His phone and wallet were stolen in the incident, which happened between 1.30am and 1.45am on Sunday July 7.

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A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “Detectives have arrested a man in connection with a series of violent street robberies in Leeds.

“The 19-year-old was arrested yesterday in connection with six recent city center street robberies, including an incident on June 30 in Merrion Street, which was the subject of a public appeal yesterday.

“He remains in custody and officers from Leeds District Crime Team continue to progress their investigation. We would like to thank everyone who shared our appeal for information.”

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