Hunt for the Gingerbread Man: £10,000 reward to catch masked robber who has been targeting women and pensioners for their jewellery for more than a year

Published: 16:05, 8 August 2026 | Updated: 16:12, 8 August 2026 A £10,000 reward has been offered in the hunt for a masked robber nicknamed the 'Gingerbread Man'.  The man, named after his ability to escape, has been targeting lone women and elderly pensioners in Solihull, West Midlands, and stealing their jewellery.  More than 50 offences linked to the man have been reported to West Midlands Police over the past year. Victims are ambushed from behind and violently attacked before jewellery is snatched from them. The man is then said to flee the scene on his bike. Crimestoppers has now placed a £10,000 bounty on the culprit, which the charity offers to anyone who can help identify the masked felon.  This comes after an 80-year-old woman was violently attacked by the man at around 3.15pm on July 13.  The vulnerable woman was pushed to the ground and her gold chain necklace was taken from her neck. He then rode off on his bike, leaving her on the ground. She was helped by passersby and rushed to hospital, where she was treated for injuries to her head and ankle.  More than 50 offences have been reported to West Midlands Police over the past year, linked to a masked man nicknamed the 'Gingerbread Man' Crimestoppers has offered a £10,000 reward to anyone who can identify the masked robber (pictured) West Midlands Police, who appealed to the public for information, described the man as 'black, in his 20s and was wearing a padded jacket along with a ski mask and sunglasses'. Alan Edwards, Crimestoppers regional manager for West Midlands, said the attacks are 'deeply concerning' as they are carried out 'with little warning and using significant violence'.  'Someone will know who is responsible or have information about these incidents,' he said. 'If you do, please tell us anonymously and we'll pass it on for you.' The man struck again on July 24, targeting 20-year-old Stacey as she walked to her retail job at 8.40am.  Her mother, Sarah, told The Sun: 'My daughter told me that she held his stare as he passed by, then saw a shadow behind her as he doubled back on himself and grabbed her by the hair.' 'He ripped a bracelet off her wrist and told her to "keep f***ing walking",' the 56-year-old added. Stacey now suffers from PTSD from the incident, her mother said.  Having warned others of the attack on social media, Sarah described receiving an influx of messages from other victims.  West Midlands Police described the man as 'black, in his 20s and was wearing a padded jacket along with a ski mask and sunglasses' when he attacked an 80-year-old woman He is known to target council estates in the areas of Chelmsley Wood and Smith's Wood in Solihull, which date back to the 1960s.  The attacks date back to at least April 2025, when mother-of-two Sian was a victim to the masked man.  The 24-year-old was walking home at 10.30pm when the man, wearing a balaclava, 'barged' her on to the ground.  Leaning over her, he demanded she hand over jewellery, which she wasn't wearing.  The victim then said she was made to 'show' him her neck and wrist to prove she was telling the truth. He then 'booted' her, she described, before riding off.  Anyone who can help with West Midlands Police's investigation can call 101 quoting crime reference number 20/219804/26.  Meanwhile, Crimestoppers can be reached on 0800 555 111.