OFFICERS investigating the case of an Ealing shopkeeper who was stabbed and left bleeding in a van have appeared on Crimewatch and released an image of a suspect.
The television appeal last week was accompanied by a full reconstruction of the incident at Dallas Liquor Mart, in The Broadway, West Ealing, on Thursday, September 17, 2009.
Owner Ravinder Virdi, 35, had locked up for the night and was about to get into his van when two men ran up from behind and grabbed him.
He was stabbed while struggling to get away, then a third man arrived and helped the other two to over-power him.
They demanded that he get into the van and then got inside themselves. The van turned left on to Coldershaw Road and right into Hatfield Road.
There the men stopped the vehicle and demanded money from Mr Virdi, taking about £900 from his coat and wallet.
One of the suspects then got out of the van and did not return, before it was driven off again into Grosvenor Road and then on to Uxbridge Road.
Mr Virdi tried to attract the attention of a passer-by, but was pushed into the footwell and threatened at knifepoint.
They continued to drive for 10 minutes or so to Poplar Avenue, Southall, where the remaining two men parked the vehicle and ran off.Mr Virdi was left inside, bleeding heavily from his injuries.
He was able to call 999 from his mobile and direct ambulance and police to him.
The men are all described as black, aged 24-25, between 5ft 10ins and 6ft tall, with black hair.
Anyone with information is asked to call Acton CID on 020 8721 7030 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
