A MAN who is believed to have been involved in FIVE crimes in one day is being sought by police.

The incidents happened on Monday (August 24). Police believe they are linked and that the same man may be responsible for them all.

  • The first happened at around 2.35pm when a man tried to break into a house in Kitchener Street. He damaged a door of the property but was unable to get inside so fled the scene empty handed.
  • Between 3.45pm and 4pm a house in General Graham Street was broken into. The burglar stole a suitcase, a number of Lladro ornaments and the keys to a Hyundai Getz which was parked outside the address.
  • At just after 4pm, police received a report of an attempted robbery at Hylton Post Office and Costcutters, on Railway Terrace. A man approached the counter, armed with a kitchen knife, and demanded cash from staff. He made off empty handed leaving staff shaken but unharmed. The man left the store in a small blue car in the direction of Pennywell.
  • At 4.15pm, police received a further report of an attempted robbery at William Hill, on Hylton Road. The offender again demanded money from the counter while holding a knife. When refused cash he left the store. Staff were also left shaken but unharmed as a result of the incident.
  • Finally, at 4.30pm officers received a report that a blue Hyundai Getz had been abandoned in Ettrick Grove and set alight which is being treated as arson.

Enquiries are ongoing into the incidents and detectives are releasing images of a man they want to identify and speak to in connection with them. Officers believe he may have information that could help with the investigation.

Detective Inspector Paul Stewart said: "We want to speak to this man as we believe he can help us with our enquiries into this series of incidents that happened in the Sunderland area on Monday afternoon.

"We have officers out in Sunderland making enquiries and if anyone knows who, or where he is, then I'd ask they contact us with any information as soon as possible."

Anyone who recognises the man or witnessed or has information about any of the incidents is asked to contact police on 101, extension 69191, quoting log number 767 and 791 24/08/15 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.