A 17-year-old boy has been arrested after a mum had her car stolen at knifepoint while holding her newborn baby.
The shocking incident happened in a GP surgery car park on Mytham Road in Bolton at around 5pm yesterday (Tuesday). The victim, 24-year-old Lauren Mercer, told the Manchester Evening News how a hooded man demanded she gave over the keys to her Seat as she was picking up her 10-week-old son Leo from his pram.
The man allegedly said "give me your f***ing keys" as she held her young son. Lauren said he then sped away after she 'threw them at him' in a panic.
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In a statement issued this morning, police said that a teenage boy had been arrested in connection with the terrifying incident. The 17-year-old was detained after officers were called to a crash on Great Western Street at around 7.30pm last night.
The crash involved the suspected stolen Seat. The boy was arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in custody to be quizzed by detectives.
An investigation remains ongoing and patrols have also been stepped up in the area, a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said. Speaking to the M.E.N just hours after the ordeal yesterday, Lauren said: "At around quarter to five I was coming out of the doctors.
"I had been for a postnatal check up because my baby is only 10 weeks old. I had walked over to my car and opened up the back door where his car seat is, and had picked him up out of the pram to put him in.
"As I looked to my right, there was this man stood there dressed in all black who said 'give me your f***ing keys'. I didn't think it was real at first. I was just in shock so walked back and said 'you what?'.
"He then shouted at me again asking me to give over my keys. I just started trying to find the keys in my pocket, all whilst holding my baby.
"He was telling me to hurry up so I just threw them at him. I didn't even have time to process what was happening."
"He was in all black, I couldn't see his face or anything it was all covered up. I could only see his eyes," she added.
"He was holding what looked like a machete. I had only been to the doctors, you wouldn't ever expect to be held up at knife point. I just didn't want to argue with him.
"I wouldn't even be bothered about getting my car back. I don't feel like it has fully sunk in yet."
Police are urging anyone with information to now come forward. They particularly want to speak to anyone who might have seen the dark grey Seat Cupra - with the registration XL02 DEC - from around 5pm to 7.30pm in Bolton or Manchester last night.
Detective Sergeant Carla Deighton from the Bolton district said: "We're treating this incident very seriously and after a quick response from our officers we were able to track down and detain a suspect in relation to what happened. I also want to reassure our local community that we have increased high-visibility patrols in the area as a result.
"We understand this incident will cause some serious concern, but we are continuing to work hard to ensure we can bring justice to the victim who was going about their daily business. We are now appealing to the public to help with any vital information they have that will help in our investigation and in particular anyone who may have caught the vehicle on their dashcam between 5-7:30pm."
Anyone with any details that will help detectives in their investigation are asked to call the Neighbourhood Priority Crime Team on 0161 856 5684 quoting log 2272 of 01/11/22.
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