POLICE are investigating a possible link between an early hours burglary and a terrifying machete robbery.

A house on St Austell Close in Penketh was broken in shortly after midnight on Friday, April 30.

An unknown burglar entered the property and stole the keys to a black Audi before driving off in the car.

Warrington Guardian:

And it is believed that this stolen vehicle was used during a robbery which saw masked attackers hold a machete to a motorist’s throat and threaten to stab him.

The 22-year-old victim, from Warrington, was parked in Everton Park in Liverpool shortly after 10.30pm on Wednesday, May 5, when his white Volkswagen Golf R was boxed in by men wearing balaclavas.

Warrington Guardian:

After brandishing the weapon and forcing the man and his girlfriend out of the car, the robbers drove off in the Golf at speed – travelling in convoy with a ‘dark-coloured vehicle’.

This latter car is believed to have been the Audi which was taken following the burglary.

A Cheshire Police spokesman said: “At 12.40am on Friday, April 30, police were called to reports that a car had been stolen from an address on St Austell Close, Penketh.

“The caller reported an unknown man had entered their home and stolen the keys to a black Audi, then drove off in the car – the victims witnessed the man drive off in the car, and also saw a second man.

“Enquiries in relation to the incident are ongoing, and anyone with any information is asked to call Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident number IML976366.”

Merseyside Police have neither confirmed nor denied the supposed link between the two incidents.

The armed assailant in the robbery was wearing dark clothing and a baseball cap, and had a neck warmer covering his face.

Officers have carried out CCTV enquiries in the area in recent days.

Detective inspector Paul Jones earlier said: “I would appeal to anyone who was in the area of Everton Park or Netherfield Road North around 10.35pm last night who saw or heard anything suspicious to contact us.

“I am particularly asking any taxi or delivery drivers who may have been in the area to check their dashcam in case they captured anything significant.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Merseyside Police on 101, quoting reference number 21000288697, or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.