Detectives are baffled by a bizarre attempted robbery in which a 71-year-old man is believed to have been sprayed in the face with CS spray.
He was in his Mitsubishi at traffic lights in Bournemouth Park Road, Southend, when a man approached his passenger window.
Police say the suspect leaned through the open window and demanded the man's wallet. He was ignored and then turned nasty.
He sprayed the driver in the face with what is suspected to be CS spray, an illegal weapon in this country.
Det Con Russell Clark-Smith said the victim was temporarily blinded but there has been no permanent damage. The suspect eventually made off empty-handed.
Witnesses should call police on 01702 431212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111
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