A GUNMAN who threatened to shoot a York taxi driver in a robbery has been linked with two more incidents in the city.

North Yorkshire Police said all three incidents took place late on Sunday and into the early hours of Monday, between 11.30pm and 12.30am.

As reported in The Press today, taxi driver Colin Metcalfe was waiting at a red light in Haxby Road when a man jumped into the back of his car and requested a lift, then threatened him with a handgun and demanded money.

Mr Metcalfe drove at speed while sounding the car horn, until he reached Exhibition Square where the suspect left the vehicle and ran down Bootham.

A police spokesman said today a second incident occurred in Burton Stone Lane a short time later when a man in his early twenties was approached by a man who punched him in the face.

The third incident saw a man try to break into a house in Thorpe Street, but he was disturbed by the occupants and other residents and quickly left the scene.

Police said the man wanted in connection with all three offences was white with a tanned complexion, with stubble and of slim build. It is believed he is aged in his twenties.

A number of witnesses have been spoken to about the incidents but officers are keen to speak with anyone else who may have information on either of the offences.

If you saw something suspicious in the area around the time the offences took place or if you were driving and may have evidence on a dash-cam, or own a private CCTV system, then please inform police.

Enquiries, including CCTV and other forensics, are currently being carried out as a matter of urgency.

Anyone who can assist with this investigation is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting reference 12170083254.