A SHAVEN-headed man on the prowl for mobile phones was unable to steal a young boy's mobile phone, as another robber had already grabbed it.

The 13-year-old boy, who has now been robbed three times, was walking home when five men approached him along Martin's Road, in Shortlands, at 2.50pm on December 18.

One of the men asked him to hand over his phone, but the boy said he did not have one as it was stolen two weeks ago.

After searching the boy, the man stole £3.15, three silver rings, a dark blue Nike jacket and a bus pass.

One suspect is described as a 16-year-old, 5ft 8in, shaven-headed black male. Another suspect is a 16-year-old, 5ft 5in, shaven-headed white male.

December 21, 2001 17:09