AN elderly man who was walking home from a mosque was allegedly kidnapped and blindfolded in a "terrifying" attack.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has launched an appeal for information after an 87-year-old man was allegedly attacked and taken in a car across to West Yorkshire.
A spokesperson for the force said the man was walking home from Oldham Central Mosque, in Featherstall Road, close to the Tesco roundabout, between 8pm and 9.30pm on Sunday.
A black vehicle pulled up beside him as he turned onto Lee Street from Manchester Street, and walked past garages/workshops.
Two men got out and then allegedly forced him into the vehicle.
The spokesperson for GMP said: "It is believed that the man was then blindfolded, with demands being made for money and his phone.
"During the incident, the man reports that he was threatened repeatedly, while being attacked and having his clothing ripped.
The man was eventually pushed out of the car on a dark road, with the vehicle making off."
It was another hour before he was able to find a house, on Oldham Road, in Rishworth, to receive aid and call 999, at 10.40pm.
It is believed he may have been left close to the Turnpike pub, in Oldham Road, near Booth Wood Reservoir.
Officers are now appealing for information as they seek to find those responsible for the incident.
Two men they are hoping to speak to in connection with the incident are described as being Asian and potentially Bangladeshi - due to speaking the victim's language.
They are approximately 25 to 30 years old, wearing t-shirts and were seen drinking alcohol from the bottle.
Detective Inspector Emma Hulston, from GMP, said: “This awful attack on an elderly man simply walking down the street is a disturbing act that we are fully investigating.
“The victim, who suffered serious injuries during the incident, endured a terrifying ordeal in which he was taken from close to his home, before being left with torn clothes in the middle of a dark road in unfamiliar surroundings, and with no means of communication.
"We are fortunate we are not talking about a potentially more serious or even fatal outcome.
“Our officers are currently investigating all circumstances of this incident and I would urge anyone with any appropriate information to please come forward.
"This includes any relevant CCTV, dashcam, or doorbell footage.”
If you can help police, and are in West Yorkshire, you should contact the force on 101, or using the contact options on the West Yorkshire Police website.
You should quote log number: 1730 of September 15.
If you are in the Greater Manchester area, you should ring 0161 856 3635, 101, or visit the GMP website.
You should quote log number 3165 of September 15.
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, online, or on: 0800 555 111.
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