Robbery suspect accused of threatening OAPs with knife

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Robbery suspect accused of threatening OAPs with knife

Postby dutchman » Mon Feb 18, 2019 8:14 pm

He appeared before magistrates this morning

A man accused of holding a knife to an elderly lady's throat during a robbery at a bank has appeared in court.

Rashpal Singh is also accused of threatening another woman with a knife at another bank a day later, after which he was tackled to the floor by three members of the public.

Police have charged the 39-year-old, of Elmsdale Avenue, Foleshill, with two counts of robbery.

It is alleged that Singh stormed in to Coventry Building Society, in Station Street East, Foleshill, just before midday on Thursday, February 14, and held a knife at the throat of an elderly woman before making off with cash.

The accusations against him then say that he threatened another woman with a knife inside Barclays bank, on Fletchamstead Highway, Tile Hill, at 2.20pm on Friday, February 15.

Singh is said to have fled with £4,000 before the three members of the public detained him until police arrived and he was arrested.

Singh appeared at Coventry Magistrates' Court on Monday morning (February 18).

No pleas were entered and the case was committed to Warwick Crown Court where Singh will appear on March 21.

He was remanded in custody until that date.

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Re: Robbery suspect accused of threatening OAPs with knife

Postby dutchman » Mon Nov 25, 2019 6:36 pm

Bank robber who held knife to 71-year-old's throat jailed

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A knife-wielding robber has been jailed for more than six years after two violent raids at Coventry banks.

Rashpal Singh held a knife to a 71-year-old woman's throat as he demanded cash from the Barclay's Bank on Fletchamstead Highway, Coventry, on February 15.

The 40-year-old passed staff a bag to fill with notes and warned he’d slit his hostage’s throat if the bag was not returned before he counted to 10.

Singh, from Elmsdale Avenue in Foleshill, ran off but was pursued by two good samaritans who caught up with him in Elm Tree Avenue.

There, he was rugby-tackled to the ground.

Officers arrived minutes later to arrest him and a search of the area uncovered a knife and balaclava he’d discarded during the chase.

Detectives from West Midlands Police examined CCTV and found Singh was wearing the same clothes, including distinctive brown brogues, as a robber who’d struck the previous day at Coventry Building Society in Station Street East.

On that occasion another female customer was threatened at knifepoint before the raider made off with around £6,000.

Singh admitted the robberies but suggested he'd been pressured into carrying out the jobs by two unnamed men who were threatening him for money.

At Coventry Crown Court on Monday (November 18) Singh was jailed for six years and nine months having pleaded guilty.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Chris Parry from West Midlands Police Force CID, said: “Singh put two women through shocking ordeals, with knives held to their necks, as he took them hostage in the banks.

“Thankfully no-one was physically hurt but we can’t underestimate the psychological impact of being caught up in an event like this.

“The two customers in the bank who gave chase showed tremendous courage and public spirit in detaining Singh and holding him down for a few minutes before police arrived on the scene.

"My thanks goes to them – and they should be rightly proud that their actions may well have saved other people from being victims.”

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Re: Robbery suspect accused of threatening OAPs with knife

Postby dutchman » Sun Mar 13, 2022 9:59 pm

Hero who tackled machete-wielding robber in Coventry recognised

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A heroic man who tackled a knife-wielding robber in Coventry has seen his bravery officially recognised.

Back in 2019, John McCarthy, 62, was in Barclays on Fletchamstead Highway when Rashpal Singh entered the bank wearing a mask and carrying a machete.

Rashpal grabbed a 71-year-old customer and held the weapon to her throat while demanding cash.

In a horrific set of events, the brazen thief passed staff a bag to fill with notes and warned he would slit the throat of the 71-year-old if the bag was not returned before he counted to 10.

Staff handed over the money but as Rashpal ran out, John chased after him and rugby tackled him.

John and another man held the bank robber down until police arrived.

Officers arrived minutes later to arrest Rashpal and a search of the area uncovered a knife and balaclava he had discarded during the chase.

Detectives from West Midlands Police examined CCTV and found Singh was wearing the same clothes, including distinctive brown brogues, as a robber who had struck the previous day at Coventry Building Society in Station Street East.

On that occasion, another female customer was threatened at knifepoint before the raider made off with around £6,000.

Singh admitted the robberies but suggested he had been pressured into carrying out the jobs by two unnamed men who were threatening him for money.

At Coventry Crown Court Singh was jailed for six years and nine months having pleaded guilty.

At the time, Detective Constable Chris Parry from West Midlands Police Force CID, said: “Singh put two women through shocking ordeals, with knives held to their necks, as he took them hostage in the banks.

“Thankfully no one was physically hurt but we can’t underestimate the psychological impact of being caught up in an event like this.

“The two customers in the bank who gave chase showed tremendous courage and public spirit in detaining Singh and holding him down for a few minutes before police arrived on the scene.

"My thanks goes to them – and they should be rightly proud that their actions may well have saved other people from being victims.”

For his incredible act of bravery, 62-year-old John received a good citizen award on Tuesday (March 8) presented by Chief Constable Sir David Thompson.

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