Machete-Wielding Attacker Targets Man on Birmingham Footpath in Terrifying Robbery Attempt
A frightening knifepoint robbery attempt unfolded on a secluded footpath in Birmingham's Hall Green area, where a masked attacker brandishing a machete threatened a man walking home from work. The terrifying incident occurred on Saturday, March 14, shortly after 7pm, along the pathway between Slade Lane and Baldwins Lane.
Victim Describes Terrifying Encounter
The victim, a 29-year-old retail shop manager who asked not to be named, was walking home from work when he heard rustling in bushes near the River Cole. Initially thinking it might be an animal, he soon realized the danger when a man shouted "excuse me" from the vegetation.
"He was trying to get me to stop, and then gets in front of me and says, 'give me your phone'," the victim recounted. "He then brandishes a machete and says 'give me the phone, don't f*** about with me'. I thought 'holy s*** that's a big a** knife'. The blade was eight or nine inches."
Attempted De-escalation and Escape
The shop worker immediately offered his Samsung 20 FE phone, which he estimated was worth around £80, and even suggested going to a cashpoint to give the attacker money instead. "I was trying to de-escalate the situation and keep him calm," he explained. "He did put the knife away briefly."
However, the robber insisted on having the phone immediately. When the attacker stepped toward him again demanding the device, the victim attempted to swing at him but missed. Realizing he could physically push the taller assailant, he placed his hand on the man's shoulder and shoved him backward.
"He stepped back, and then I sprinted away toward Baldwin's Lane," the victim said. "It sounded like he started to follow me, I shouted back to him to 'get away from me'. But I kept running and didn't look back."
Police Investigation Underway
After stumbling and falling near a railway bridge during his escape, the victim made it to a Londis shop where he immediately called police. Officers from West Midlands Police arrived within ten minutes and are now investigating the attempted robbery.
A police spokesperson confirmed: "We're investigating after a man was threatened by another man who demanded his phone at around 7.20pm yesterday. The victim was on Baldwins Lane, near to Slade Lane, Hall Green, when he was approached by a man who pulled out a machete and demanded he handed over his phone. The man did not hand over his phone and fled the scene. He was not hurt."
Attacker Description and Community Appeal
The attacker is described as:
- Approximately six foot two inches tall
- Black male believed to be in his late teens or early 20s
- Wearing a black ski mask or balaclava
- Dressed in a black puffer jacket and black trousers
The victim, who has used the same route for five to six years without incident, described the experience as "horrific" and "absolutely terrifying." He is taking time off work to recover from the trauma and is appealing to local residents with Ring doorbell footage or any information to come forward.
"He's an absolute scumbag," the victim said of his attacker. "I have friends in the army and they said the best self-defence tip is to run. I want to ask people if they have any Ring doorbell footage in the area to come forward."
West Midlands Police are urging witnesses or anyone with information to contact them on 101, quoting reference 20/179295/26, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
