Rashford and Alexander-Arnold brothers 'robbed by gunmen' in Manchester cafe
Pair reportedly treated in hospital for injuries after raid
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The brothers of England footballers Marcus Rashford and Trent Alexander-Arnold have reportedly been targeted by armed robbers at a cafe in Manchester.
Dane Rashford and Tyler Alexander-Arnold, who also manage the players, were eating at Littlerock in the city’s Moss Side area when it was raided by three men armed with a suspected shotgun, a machete and a baseball bat.
Police said the robbers threatened customers and “demanded they hand over personal belongings and a set of car keys” at 10.30am on on Saturday morning.
According to Mail Online, they stole Mr Rashford’s watch and Mr Alexander-Arnold’s wallet and Range Rover.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said three people, all aged in their twenties, were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Mr Rashford, the elder brother of the Manchester United striker, and Mr Alexander-Arnold, whose brother plays for Liverpool in defence, were reportedly left bloodied and bruised. A friend of the pair is also believed to have been hurt.
The Range Rover was later found abandoned two miles away in Manchester’s Fallowfield suburb. Officers also seized two guns discovered in a nearby bush.
Six people – four men aged 18, 19, 23 and 58 and two boys aged 17 – have been arrested on on suspicion of robbery.
A post on Littlerock’s Facebook page said staff and customers had been left “traumatised” by the incident.
“We send our deepest sympathies to the customers that got injured in the incident that took place, we hope they have a speedy recovery.
“From the Littlerock staff, we thank you for supporting us through this difficult time.”
The Caribbean cafe’s owner, Samuel Francis, said he believed the footballers’ brothers were “deliberately targeted”.
He told Mail Online: “I wasn’t there at the time but I understand the lads were eating when it happened.
“They’re regular guests and I think they were targeted deliberately. People have probably spotted their cars here before.”
GMP superintendent Mark Dexter said: “Thankfully no one was seriously injured, but the victims have been left understandably shaken following this incident.
“It is thanks to the swift action of our officers that we now have six men in custody, but this investigation is still very much ongoing and officers will be in the area continuing with enquiries.”