Police are investigating following an assault and robbery in the Newhaven area which resulted in the theft of a dog called Eccles.
The incident happened shortly after midnight yesterday (Wednesday 24 April), when a 20-year-old man was walking his dog in Newhaven Place. He was approached by an unknown man who began to assault him. A second man exited a grey vehicle (similar to a Vauxhall Corsa) and also assaulted the victim.
The two men then walked the victim around the corner to Glenarm Place where he was confronted by a third male suspect and presented with a weapon.
This third suspect then stole the victim’s mobile phone and his dog, which is a Shih Tzu Westie Cross.
The three men then assaulted the victim again before all three left in an unknown direction in the grey car.
The victim sustained minor injuries and did not require medical attention. Police were called and officers are now investigating.
The first suspect is described as a white man between the ages of 30-40-years-old. He is around 5ft 9” to 6ft in height with a stocky build. He was wearing a black jacket with white logo on the left sleeve, black trousers, black shoes, and a black beanie hat. He spoke with a Glaswegian accent.
The second suspect is described as male, around 5ft 8” to 5ft 10” with a slim build. He was wearing a black long sleeved top, black trousers with a white strip and white logo on the left leg and black balaclava (or hat and scarf covering his face).
The third suspect is described as a male between the ages of 20-30-years-old. He has a medium build and short dark hair. He was wearing a dark grey long sleeved top with black sides, black joggers and red trainers.
Eccles the dog, an eight-year-old female Shih Tzu Westie Cross, is described as having a grey body with a white underside with dark patches. She also has a recent spayed operation scar and wears a sparkly baby pink collar.
Detective Inspector Graham Grant of Edinburgh’s Criminal Investigation Department said: “This was an appalling attack on a young man, which has resulted being traumatised and losing his family’s dog.
“This level of violence is completely unacceptable in our communities and we are eager to trace the three men responsible for this attack as soon as possible.
“I would ask anyone who was in the Newhaven area just after midnight on Wednesday, April 24, and has any information that might help our enquiries, to get in touch with us at their earliest convenience.”