A SUMMER evening ride turned sour for two teenage pals when they had their mountain bikes stolen by a gang of young tearaways.

The boys, aged 14 and 15 years of age, were riding along Old Garswood Road near Carr Mill Dam between 6.30 and 7pm on Sunday, May 25, when they came upon the group of eight youths who were also on bikes. One of the youths asked if he could swap bikes with one of the boys and when the lad refused, another member of the gang, aged about 17, pushed him off.

Another gang member then forced the other boy to hand over his bike and the youths rode off leaving behind two of their own bikes which had tyre punctures and no brakes.

The youth who took the first bike was white, 5ft 7ins tall, with a slim build, a skinhead haircut and was very scruffy in appearance. The second boy, who was aged about 10, was also scruffy, wore dirty clothing and had short hair. All eight youths had Liverpool accents.

One of the stolen bikes was a Raleigh Activator and the other was a red-and-black coloured Pennine. Both were valued at £200.

Anyone with information about this incident can contact WPC Joyce Bluck at the St Helens Crime Management Unit on 0151 777 6050.

POLICE have arrested and charged a 13-year old boy with robbery following another bike theft near Carr Mill Dam last weekend.

At 6.45pm on Sunday, June 1, a 12-year boy and his friend were set upon by a group of youths who punched the 12-year old and stole his bike before riding off along the East Lancs Road towards Liverpool.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was later arrested on the East Lancs Road and police are now investigating both incidents.

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