22 Jan 2024
A breakdown recovery man was thrown in the back of a van and covered in a bleach-like substance after being abducted from a Harpenden country lane.
The incident occurred at around 4pm on January 4, at the bridge over the M1 in Coles Lane.
The victim, who is in his 30s, had received a work call to attend a broken down car, and when he arrived on the scene he met a woman parked up in a grey Toyota.
But after exiting his vehicle, he was apprehended by two men in motorbike helmets, who threatened him before throwing him into a van, where he was covered in what appeared to be bleach.
They then drove him to an unknown location before returning to Coles Lane at around 6pm, dumping him by the roadside. The victim then ran to a nearby address in Birch Grove to call the police.
Det Con Sophie Mansell, from the St Albans Local Crime Unit, said: “This was a distressing incident for the victim who continues to be supported by officers at this time.
“I understand that news of this incident is likely to cause concern among the local community, and our investigation is continuing at pace as we work around the clock to try and trace the suspects.
“We believe that this was a targeted attack and that there is no wider threat to the public.
“As part of our investigation, detectives have been assessing CCTV opportunities, conducting house-to-house enquiries and utilising other police tactics.
“We are still encouraging anyone with information to please get in touch with us. Were you in the area the time of the incident and saw what happened, or have any further information that may assist our investigation? Also, if you were driving in or around Coles Lane at the time of the incident and have a dash cam fitted, please check it as you may have recorded some crucial footage.
“Please email me at Sophie.Mansell@herts.police.uk with any information, no matter how small or insignificant you think the details you have may be. Thank you.”
You can report information online at herts.police.uk/report, speak to an operator in the Force Communications Room via the online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or call the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference 41/1019/24.
