A MURDER manhunt has been launched after a delivery driver was killed in an alleged theft.
The courier, in his forties, was on his rounds delivering Amazon packages on Tuesday night when his gray transit van was stolen in Leeds, West Yorkshire.
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A delivery driver was killed in Leeds
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A massive manhunt was launched as officers scoured the area for clues
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His van was stolen while he was dying
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But it was found a few miles away
Locals said the victim – who has not been named – was attacked while trying to stop the thief from taking the vehicle.
The driver – who was delivering Amazon packages via a third-party courier – was found seriously injured in Heights Drive, Wortley, just before 7pm.
The police arrived and found the victim unconscious, while the citizens tried to help him.
Emergency personnel treated him but he was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.
Police believe the driver delivered the package to an address about half a mile away on Alliance Street around 6:45 p.m.
He then returned to his van, a plain silver Ford Transit Cargo, to find a man trying to steal it.
When he tried to stop them, the thief is believed to have driven off with the victim hanging from the passenger door.
In an attempt to shake him off, the robber rammed the van into a row of parked cars in Heights Drive before speeding off.
The worker fell and later died from his injuries and was left on the street between the intersection of Heights Way and Heights Bank.
Police later found the van about six miles away, in Highlands Walk, Belle Isle.
West Yorkshire Police described the incident as “shocking” and said the driver’s family were “absolutely devastated”.
Senior investigating officer, Chief Inspector James Entwistle, said: “Our investigation is still at an early stage but, based on what we know at the moment, this appears to be a truly shocking incident in which the victim was killed while carrying out his job as a delivery driver. delivery.
“His family have been informed and they are absolutely devastated by what has happened. We are working to support them at this really difficult time and are doing everything we can to get them the answers they need.
“We are conducting extensive investigations to establish all the circumstances and identify the person whose incredibly dangerous actions are responsible for causing his death.
“We have spoken to a number of witnesses but are still very keen to hear from anyone who witnessed any part of this incident.
“That complaint covers the circumstances of the stolen van on Alliance Street at about 6:45 p.m.; the journey it took along Heights Drive to where the victim was found; its movements while fleeing the scene; and its movements before it was found abandoned in Highlands Walk in Belle Isle, which is about six miles away.
“We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who saw the suspect in the van at any time after it was stolen or abandoned, and are asking people who were near any part of this incident to check their dash cam, ringer footage on door and home video surveillance to see if they caught anything that could help the investigation.
“People will be understandably appalled by the death of this man in these circumstances and I want to reassure them that we are absolutely determined to find the person responsible.”
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Images show police, crime scene investigators and collision investigators searching for clues on Heights Drive, in the city’s west end.
The van was found abandoned hours later in Highlands Drive, a small cul-de-sac in south Leeds. He was taken for expert examination.
Amazon said the driver worked for a third-party courier that delivered its packages.
A spokesman said: “This is a terrible incident and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the driver’s loved ones, family and colleagues at our delivery service provider.
“We will do everything we can to assist the police in their investigation.”
They paid tribute to the van driver on Facebook.
One wrote: “Poor guy working, no doubt to provide for his family, and some scumbag took his van.
“He tried to stop them, so he wouldn’t lose his job and instead lost his life.”
Another said: “RIP to the poor man who lost his life doing an honest day’s work and his poor family.”
And a third wrote: “My heart breaks for this man and his family. What is the world going to when you can’t even be safe doing your job. My thoughts with the emergency services who had to attend this tonight as well.”
Senior police officers have warned of a rise in “opportunistic” attacks on delivery drivers.
Anyone who witnessed any part of the incident or who has any information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact the Homicide and Major Investigation Team on 101 quoting Operation Proscombe or crime number 13240455080.
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Forensic experts were seen investigating the crime scene
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A tent was erected after the incident
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Source: HIS Education