A teenager was punched repeatedly in the head, hit around the head with a snooker cue and robbed in Vicarage Road car park in Luton.
The 14 year old was walking along Park Street at about 6.10pm when he was grabbed by four men and then attacked.
He was on his way to Riley’s Snooker Bar at the time, and the offenderes hit him round the head with one of his snooker cues until it broke in half, then stole his BlackBerry phone, an iPhone, and a multi-coloured diamond patterned cue case containing a John Pains mint condition cue.
The case is black and orange suede inside and had a best wishes message from high level pool player Carl Morris.
All four offenders, three of whom were Asian and one who was white, ran up Gloucester Road towards Manor Road.
Det Con Bosson said: “This young person suffered cuts and bruising to his face and it will take some time for him to come to terms with what happened to him. The sentimental value of the case and cue means more to the victim than the material cost. He has been playing pool most of his life. This is not just a hobby for the victim, but he plays for the county and is hoping to make the England team.”
The four offenders were all males around 18-19 years of age and all over 5 ft 10.
One had a trimmed beard, several slits shaved in his left eyebrow and wore a large diamond stud in his left ear.
Det Con Bosson said: “I urge anyone who witnessed this incident to come forward and help with this investigation. I also appeal directly to a man wearing a high visibility jacket, between 40-50 years of age, who we believe was in the area at the time of the robbery and who spoke to the victim. I reassure this person that he has done nothing wrong but we need him to come forward as he may have information that is vital to this investigation.”
Anyone with information relating to this incident can contact Det Con Bosson, in confidence, at Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.
Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.