West Midlands Police is investigating a suspected botched robbery at the Co-operative Food store on Quinton Road West that left a man with a serious leg injury. Officers are searching for two men in connection with the incident, which occurred at approximately 4:15pm on Tuesday, August 18.
Man left with serious leg wound after being dragged through glass door
A nearby trader, Marc Smith from Tytan Tanning Studio, located a few doors away from the Co-op, said the injured man was “left for dead” with a serious leg wound. It was claimed he was dragged through the store’s glass front door during the raid. Mr Smith told BirminghamLive on Wednesday: “My wife saw it all and went to help. She said it was horrific. They did the damage and they ran off. He was left for dead.”
Police, paramedics, and the air ambulance were called to the scene at 4:15pm on Tuesday, August 18, where the injured man was found. Medical staff provided advanced trauma care before he was rushed on blue lights to the city’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The Co-op reopened on Wednesday after its damaged glass front door was repaired.
Police confirm two men sought and victim remains in serious but stable condition
West Midlands Police confirmed to BirminghamLive that it was looking for two men. In a statement released on Thursday, August 20, the force said: “We’re investigating after being called to reports of a robbery at the Co-op store on Quinton Road West at around 4.15pm on Tuesday. A man was found with serious leg injuries. He was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition.”
A Co-op Food spokeswoman said: “We are aware of an incident that took place at our Quinton store on August 18, which appears to have involved a serious injury to a member of the public. We are supporting West Midlands Police with its investigation and cannot make any further comment while that investigation is ongoing.”
Local traders describe daily terror and impact on community
Mr Smith said his business remained shut on Wednesday because police sealed off the parade of shops. The cordon was later shortened to just the store’s foreground. He added: “The Co-op but it is terrorised daily. There’s always someone trying to steal. We feel sorry for the staff.”
Customer Liz Mooney said: “The Co-op staff are lovely, it must have been terrifying for them.” Suraj Dhillon, from nearby B&G Off Licence, said: “It’s scary but you never know who is coming into (your store). It’s no good, it’s bad for the victim and everyone. We always have two people in the shop.”
West Midlands Police added: “We’re in the early stages of our enquiries and anyone with information is asked to contact us via Live Chat on our website, or call 101, and quote log 3882 of August 18.”
