DETECTIVES investigating two separate knifepoint robberies in Durham City have arrested a man.

The 35-year-old suspect was arrested in Consett this afternoon (Wednesday, February 3) following a second attack last night, not far from where the first took place on Saturday.

Both victims were 23-year-old women and were targeted in the Gilesgate area of the city.

The victim on Tuesday had entered Sainsbury’s at 8pm and left the store a few minutes later having completed her shopping.

She had parked her black BMW 118d, in the car park nearby.

When she was sitting in the driver’s seat she could see a man approaching her vehicle.

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said: “She tried to hit the locking button, but was not quick enough and the man opened the driver’s door and pulled a large knife out in front of her.

“He told her to get out of the car and he then drove off in the vehicle.

“The victim received a cut on her right wrist during the incident and went back into the store to raise the alarm.”

So far the car, registration ND11 OUU, has not been traced and police are appealing for information from anyone who might have seen it.

The suspect is also being questioned about an incident on Saturday, at about 8.45pm, when a 23-year-old was walking on the south side footpath of Sunderland Road, in Gilesgate, near to the junction with The Moorlands.

A man grabbed her shoulder, after approaching her from behind, turned her round and threatened her with a large, black-handled kitchen knife.

He made off with the bag, which contained a small amount of cash, a Samsung mobile phone and various personal items.

The bag was later found, in the Laurel Avenue area of Sherburn Road Estate, without the phone and money.